Abstract
We have shown that ultra-thin La0.65Ca0.35MnO3 films exhibit strong metastable behavior. The resistance can vary with time significantly, suggesting that a state of dynamic phase separation exists whereby one phase grows at the expense of another. Physical properties associated with the metastable behavior have been investigated on the films grown on different substrates. We have found that ultra-thin films age much faster than the thicker counterparts and more interestingly the metastability in the resistance of these films enhanced when aged.
► Ultra-thin La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 films exhibit metastable behavior. ► Physical properties associated with metastable behavior have been investigated. ► The metastability in resistance of the films enhanced when films are aged. ► Relaxation rates were used as a relative measure the metastability. ► The metastable behavior is sensitive to the strain state of the film.