Abstract: La₂Co_0.8Mn_1.2O₆  is a scarcely studied ferromagnetic insulating material. This thesis is centered in the understanding of a strong strain induced perpendicular magnetic anisotropy observed in certain  La2Co_0.8Mn_1.2O₆  thin films. The possibility of using this material for applications in spintronics is also explored. The results show great potential since spin filtering, tunnel anisotropic magnetoresistance and memory capabilities are detected in a device where a ferromagnetic barrier is the only active magnetic material. On the other hand, local transport properties of nanostructures of another type of manganite, such as La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃, are studied. In particular, the physical properties and composition of two coexisting terminations are correlated by means of scanning probe and x-ray-based microscopies.

Supervisors: 

• Lluís Balcells, Advanced characterization and nanostructured materials, ICMAB
• Carmen Ocal, Physical Chemistry of Surfaces and Interfaces, ICMAB
• Carlos Frontera, Advanced characterization and nanostructured materials, ICMAB

PhD Committee: 

• President: Jacobo Santamaría Sánchez-Barriga (Universidad Complutense Madrid (UCM), Spain)
• Secretary: Neus Domingo Marimon (Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2), Spain)
• Vocal: Xavier Martí Rovirosa (IGSresearch, Spain)

Congratulations Laura, and we hope you enjoy your new dancing shoes!

Congratulations Laura!