Field-suppressed interfacial spin scattering in YBa2Cu3O7−δ/La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 heterostructures

The superconductivity and magnetoresistance (MR) of epitaxial bilayers consisting of YBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO) and La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 (LSMO) are investigated with respect to the proximity and spin polarization effects. In the region of the mixed vortex state near the onset temperature of the superconducting transition, the diffusion of the spin-polarized quasiparticles from the LSMO to the YBCO is evidenced by their distinct magnetotransport behaviors, which are characterized by two superconducting transitions. It is revealed that the second transition is strongly dependent on the applied magnetic field, demonstrating an abnormal pair-breaking effect. This effect, together with the reduced MR, is believed to arise from an increase in the spin injection efficiency induced by the suppressed interfacial spin scattering, disclosing a new perspective for understanding the magnetotransport phenomena in proximity-coupled superconductor/ferromagnet (S/F) hybrids.