Growth of ferromagnetic Nd_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ films with an off-axis sputtering configuration

Ferromagnetic Nd_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ (NSMO) films have been prepared onto (001) SrTiO₃ by the off-axis magnetron sputtering technique. The NSMO films are characterized by resistivity measurements, x-ray diffraction, and the atomic force microscope. Under our deposition conditions the films show a maximum resistivity (ρ_max) at the highest peak temperature of Tp=180-240 K. By increasing the deposition temperature, T_p shifts to lower temperature and ρ_max increases. In an applied magnetic field, large magnetoresistance (MR) ratios >2200% for several in situ deposited films at 180 K and H = 6 T are obtained. The influence of growth conditions on the magnetotransport properties of NSMO films and their MR characteristics are discussed.