Improved properties of La2/3Ca1/3MnO3 thin films by addition of silver

Thin films of Ag-added La2/3Ca1/3MnO3 exhibit enhancement of several desira ble characteristics over the pristine counterparts. We find that the additi on of Ag results in a pronounced increase in the insulator-metal transition temperature (T-p) and ferromagnetic transition temperature (T-c). There is also a remarkable improvement in the magnetic and electrical homogeneity o f the samples as indicated by narrower ferromagnetic resonance linewidths a nd narrower resistive transitions, respectively. The observed improvement i n properties is inferred to be largely associated with improved oxygen stoi chiometry of the films although microstructural effects are not ruled out. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(99)04819-6].