Control of magnetocrystalline anisotropy by epitaxial strain in double perovskite Sr(2)FeMoO(6) films.

We demonstrate tuning of magnetocrystalline anisotropy in high-quality Sr(2)FeMoO(6) epitaxial films over a range of several thousand Gauss using strain induced by epitaxial growth on substrates of varying lattice constants. Spectroscopic measurements reveal a striking, linear dependence of the out-of-plane anisotropy on the strain-induced tetragonal distortion of the Sr(2)FeMoO(6) lattice. This anisotropy can be tuned from +2000 to -3300 Oe, a range sufficient to rotate the easy axis from in plane to out of plane. Combined with its half-metallicity and high Curie temperature, this result implies a broad range of scientific and technological applications for this novel spintronic material.