Structure, physical properties, and applications of<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:msub><mml:mi>SrRuO</mml:mi><mml:mn>3</mml:mn></mml:msub></mml:math>thin films

Abstract

${\mathrm{SrRuO}}_{3}$ is endowed with three remarkable features. First, it is a moderately correlated material that exhibits several novel physical properties; second, it permits the epitaxial growth of essentially single-crystal films; and third, because it is a good conductor, it has attracted interest as a conducting layer in epitaxial heterostructures with a variety of functional oxides. In this review, the present state of knowledge of ${\mathrm{SrRuO}}_{3}$ thin films is summarized. Their role as a model system for studying magnetism and electron transport characterized by intermediate electron correlation and large magnetocrystalline anisotropy is demonstrated. The materials science of ${\mathrm{SrRuO}}_{3}$ thin film growth is reviewed, and its relationship to electronic, magnetic, and other physical properties is discussed. Finally, it is argued that, despite all that has been learned, a comprehensive understanding of ${\mathrm{SrRuO}}_{3}$ is still lacking and challenges remain.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Reviews of Modern Physics, 2012 · DOI ↗