Current modulations of the metal-insulator phase transition in epitaxial thin films of Pr0.7Sr0.3MnO3

Pr[Formula: see text]Sr[Formula: see text]MnO 3 thin films were grown epitaxially on SrTiO 3 and LaAlO 3 substrates by pulse laser deposition. X-ray diffraction spectra obtained on these films revealed good crystallinity and epitaxy. It was found that the oxygen deficiency and in-plane strain may affect the transport behavior and phase transition near Curie temperature in these Pr[Formula: see text]Sr[Formula: see text]MnO 3 films. Also, the resistance and metal-insulator phase transition could be modulated significantly by the applied electric currents. The reduction ratio of the peak resistance reached −38% for a bias current [Formula: see text]A, demonstrating a remarkable electroresistance effect. The results are interpreted based on the spatial inhomogeneity related to the coexisted multi-phases with different electronic and magnetic properties.