Interface-induced microstrain in La0.67Ca0.33MnO3/YBa2Cu3O7 superlattices

Epitaxial La_0.67Ca_0.33MnO₃/YBa₂Cu₃O₇ superlattices with varying modulation lengths are produced by pulsed laser deposition and their detailed structural characterization is performed by X-ray diffraction. It is shown here that YBa₂Cu₃O₇ layers in all superlattice specimens have considerably high microstrain values, which are probably interface induced. The large distortions in the vicinity of the interfaces may alter the electronic structure and, hence, may have important consequences on the electrical and magnetic properties of the superlattice systems.