Electronic and Magnetic Reconstructions in<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:msub><mml:mi>La</mml:mi><mml:mn>0.7</mml:mn></mml:msub><mml:msub><mml:mi>Sr</mml:mi><mml:mn>0.3</mml:mn></mml:msub><mml:msub><mml:mi>MnO</mml:mi><mml:mn>3</mml:mn></mml:msub><mml:mo>/</mml:mo><mml:msub><mml:mi>SrTiO</mml:mi><mml:mn>3</mml:mn></mml:msub></mml:math>Heterostructures: A Case of Enhanced Interlayer Coupling Controlled by the Interface

We report on the magnetic coupling of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 layers through SrTiO3 spacers in La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/SrTiO3 epitaxial heterostructures. Combined aberration-corrected microscopy and electron-energy-loss spectroscopy evidence charge transfer to the empty conduction band of the titanate. Ti d electrons interact via superexchange with Mn, giving rise to a Ti magnetic moment as demonstrated by x-ray magnetic circular dichroism. This induced magnetic moment in the SrTiO3 controls the bulk magnetic and transport properties of the superlattices when the titanate layer thickness is below 1 nm.