Magnetism tailored by mechanical strain engineering in PrVO$_3$ thin films

Abstract

Transition-metal oxides with an ABO$_3$ perovskite structure exhibit strongly entangled structural and electronic degrees of freedom and thus, one expects to unveil exotic phases and properties by acting on the lattice through various external stimuli. Using the Jahn-Teller active praseodymium vanadate Pr$^{3+}$V$^{3+}$O$_3$ compound as a model system, we show that PrVO$_3$ N\'eel temperature T$_N$ can be raised by 40 K with respect to the bulk when grown as thin films. Using advanced experimental techniques, this enhancement is unambiguously ascribed to a tetragonality resulting from the epitaxial compressive strain experienced by the films. First-principles simulations not only confirm experimental results, but they also reveal that the strain promotes an unprecedented orbital-ordering of the V$^{3+}$ d electrons, strongly favouring antiferromagnetic interactions. These results show that an accurate control of structural aspects is the key for unveiling unexpected phases in oxides.