Phase control through anisotropic strain in Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3 thin films.

Strain effect in charge- and orbital-ordered state has been investigated for Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3 thin films deposited on (100), (110), and (111)-oriented substrates of SrTiO3. Films on (001) and (111) substrates have a monotonous temperature dependence for magnetic and transport properties showing no first-order phase transition. On the other hand, films on (110) substrate show a clear ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic and metal-insulator transition around 170 K similar to that in a bulk single crystal, which is a manifestation of the charge and orbital order. Precise control of the hole concentration was also demonstrated around half doping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]