We report the structural and magnetoelectrical properties of La$_{ 0.7}$Ca$_{ 0.3}$MnO$_3$/BaTiO$_3$ perovskite superlattices grown on (001)-oriented SrTiO$_3$ by the pulsed laser deposition technique. Magnetic hysteresis loops together with temperature dependent magnetic properties exhibit well-defined coercivity and magnetic transition temperature (T$_C$) \symbol{ 126}140 K. $DC$ electrical studies of films show that the magnetoresistance (MR) is dependent on the BaTiO$_3$ thickness and negative $MR$ as high as 30% at 100K are observed. The $AC$ electrical studies reveal that the impedance and capacitance in these films vary with the applied magnetic field due to the magnetoelectrical coupling in these structures - a key feature of multiferroics. A negative magnetocapacitance value in the film as high as 3% per tesla at 1kHz and 100K is demonstrated, opening the route for designing novel functional materials.

Categories: cond-mat.mtrl-sci cond-mat.str-el

Magnetocapacitance effect in perovskite-superlattice based multiferroics