Artificial (LaMnO3)(m)(SrMnO3)(n) superlattices, n/(m+n)=0.26, were grown w
ith pulsed-laser deposition, and the superlattice period Lambda was varied.
Their structural characteristics were investigated using x-ray diffraction
and electron microscopy. When Lambda < a(p) (perovskite lattice parameter)
, bulk-like properties of La0.74Sr0.26MnO3 are obtained: T-MI (metal-to-ins
ulator transition temperature) approximate to T-c (Curie temperature) appro
ximate to 345 K and -MR (magnetoresistance) approximate to 100%. Increasing
Lambda (to 21 a(p)) leads to a decrease in the T-c, the low-temperature ma
gnetization, the magnetoresistance, and the T-MI-eventually becoming insula
ting at low temperatures. These effects can be explained by Mn3+/Mn4+ separ
ation arising from the artificially induced La/Sr order. (C) 1999 American
Institute of Physics. [S0003- 6951(99)04843-3].