Growth of La0.8-xBixSr0.2MnO3 Films by a Laser Deposition Technique, and Their Resistivity and Magneto-Optical Properties.

La0.8-xBixSr0.2MnO3 (x = 0-0.3) films were prepared by a laser deposition technique. An investigation of the effect of bismuth substitution on the resistivity, magnetoresistance and magneto-optical properties showed that the resistivity and magnetoresistance increased, while the Curie temperature decreased. The magnetoresistance, ΔR/R0, as high as -97% for a film with a bismuth content of x=0.3 in a magnetic field of 120 kOe and at a temperature of 150-180 K. The magnetic circular dichroism spectra of the films without bismuth showed a dispersive transition centered at about 3.9eV, with two peaks near 3.5 and 5.0eV. The bismuth substitution increased the dispersive transition centered at about 3.9eV, decreased the peak near 3.5eV, and caused a new peak to appear.