Abstract
The effect of annealing under a magnetic field on the microstructure and properties of
Y
Ni
x
Mn
1
−
x
O
3
(
x
=
0.33
and 0.5) films has been investigated. It is found that the ferromagnetic transition temperature is significantly enhanced after postannealing in the presence of an
8
T
magnetic field. Characterization study shows that the microstructure is affected, obtaining larger grains of uniform size when films are annealed under a magnetic field. The improvement in the ordering temperature of all films is interpreted in terms of the grain growth caused by the magnetic field driving force for boundary motion where the exchange coupling is high.