Giant change in IR light transmission in La_(0.67)Ca_(0.33)MnO₃ film near the Curie temperature: promising application in optical devices

Transport, magnetic, magneto-optical (Kerr effect) and optical (light absorption) properties have been studied in an oriented polycrystalline La_{0.67}Ca_{0.33}MnO_{3} film which shows colossal magneto-resistance. The correlations between these properties are presented. A giant change in IR light transmission (more than a 1000-fold decrease) is observed on crossing the Curie temperature (about 270 K) from high to low temperature. Large changes in transmittance in a magnetic field were observed as well. The giant changes in transmittance and the large magneto-transmittance can be used for development of IR optoelectronic devices controlled by thermal and magnetic fields. Required material characteristics of doped manganites for these devices are discussed.