Temperature and Field Dependence of Magnetic Domains in La$_{1.2}$Sr$_{1.8}$Mn$_2$O$_7$

Colossal magnetoresistance and field-induced ferromagnetism are well documented in manganite compounds. Since domain wall resistance contributes to magnetoresistance, data on the temperature and magnetic field dependence of the ferromagnetic domain structure are required for a full understanding of the magnetoresistive effect. Here we show, using cryogenic Magnetic Force Microscopy, domain structures for the layered manganite La$_{1.2}$Sr$_{1.8}$Mn$_2$O$_7$ as a function of temperature and magnetic field. Domain walls are suppressed close to the Curie temperature T$_C$, and appear either via the application of a c-axis magnetic field, or by decreasing the temperature further. At temperatures well below T$_C$, new domain walls, stable at zero field, can be formed by the application of a c-axis field. Magnetic structures are seen also at temperatures above T$_C$: these features are attributed to inclusions of additional Ruddleston-Popper manganite phases. Low-temperature domain walls are nucleated by these ferromagnetic inclusions.