Synthesis and magnetic properties of manganite thin films on Si by polymer assisted (PAD) and pulsed laser deposition (PLD)

We report the synthesis of polycrystalline films of La1-xCaxMnO3 in Si (111) by Polymer Assisted Deposition (PAD). An aqueous solution polyethyleneimine (PEI) and different metal ions stabilized with EDTA, was spin coated on hydrophilized Si substrates and subsequently annealed under different atmospheres. Homogeneous, dense polycrystalline films are obtained at optimized conditions of 950 ºC under flowing O2. The morphology and magnetic properties of the samples are compared with films obtained by Pulsed Laser Deposition.