Proximity effects induced by a gold layer on La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 thin films

We report about La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 single crystal manganite thin films in interaction with a gold capping layer. With respect to uncoated manganite layers of the same thickness, Au-capped 4 nm-thick manganite films reveal a dramatic reduction (about 185 K) of the Curie temperature TC and a lower saturation low-temperature magnetization M0. A sizeable TC reduction (about 60 K) is observed even when an inert SrTiO3 layer is inserted between the gold film and the 4 nm-thick manganite layer, suggesting that this effect might have an electrostatic origin.