Ferromagnetic Domain Structure in La_1-xSr_xMnO₃ (x=0.125)

Abstract

Low-temperature Lorentz microscopy is applied to the observation of the ferromagnetic (FM) domain structure in the colossal magnetoresistive manganite, La_1−xSr_xMnO₃ with x=0.125. We found the emergence of two types of FM domain structures in the low-temperature phase characterized as the FM insulator phase. One is a large 180^° FM domain structure with the Bloch-type wall and the other is a wavy stripe-shaped FM domain structure with the 100 nm size. These two distinct FM domain structures depend strongly on the crystal orientation. The response of the FM domains with the application of the magnetic field was also examined.