Preparation, structural and magnetic characterisation of RF-sputtered La1-xNaxMnO3 +/-delta thin films manganites

In this paper we report about the synthesis and characterisation of the structure and magnetic properties of sodium doped LaMnO3 thin films prepared by means of RF-magnetron sputtering. The synthesis was realised at two different substrate temperatures (500 and 700°C) and with different gas chamber compositions. The role of oxygen content variation has been checked by annealing the thin films at different oxygen partial pressures. By reducing the oxygen content an increase of the distortion in the film has been observed together with a reduction of the Curie temperatures. Films with high Curie temperatures (250 K) have been prepared at 700°C in pure argon.