Observation of domain wall resistivity in $\rm SrRuO_3$

Abstract

$\rm SrRuO_3$ is an itinerant ferromagnet with $T_c \sim 150 \rm K$. When $\rm SrRuO_3$ is cooled through $T_c$ in zero applied magnetic field, a stripe domain structure appears whose orientation is uniquely determined by the large uniaxial magnetocrystalline anisotropy. We find that the ferromagnetic domain walls clearly enhance the resisitivity of $\rm SrRuO_3$ and that the enhancement has different temperature dependence for currents parallel and perpendicular to the domain walls. We discuss possible interpretations of our results.