Antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic phase transition as a transition to partial ordered spins. Application to $La_{1-x}Ca_xMnO_3$ in the doping range $x\geq 0.50$

TL;DR

This paper models a partial ordered magnetic transition from ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic states, explaining experimental magnetization behavior in doped manganite $La_{1-x}Ca_xMnO_3$.

Contribution

It introduces a Heisenberg model with two sublattices to describe partial magnetic ordering transitions, matching experimental data.

Findings

Identification of a partial ordered transition with two magnetic maxima in specific heat.

Reproduction of experimental magnetization-temperature curves for $La_{1-x}Ca_xMnO_3$.

Thermodynamic evidence for the transition in specific heat behavior.

Abstract

Magnetic state is a partial ordered state if only part of the electrons in the system give contribution to the magnetic order. We study Heisenberg model of two sublattice spin system, on the body-centered cubic lattice, with antiferromagnetic nearest neighbors exchange of sublattice A and B spins and two different ferromagnetic exchange constants for sublattice A ($J^A$) and B ($J^B$) spins. When $J^A>J^B$ the system undergoes transition from paramagnetism to ferromagnetism at Curie temperature $T_C$. Only the sublattice A spins give contribution to the magnetization of the system. Upon cooling, the system possesses ferromagnetism to antiferromagnetism transition at N\'eel temperature $T_N < T_C$. Below $T_N $ sublattice A and B electrons give contribution to the magnetization. The transition is a partial ordered transition. There is thermodynamic evidence for this transition in the magnetic specific heat of the system. As a function of temperature there are two maxima. At high temperature $T_C$ it is $\lambda$-type. At lower temperature $T_N$ it characterizes the transition from ferromagnetism to antiferromagnetism. As an example of ferromagnetism to antiferromagnetism partial ordered transition we consider the material $La_{1-x}Ca_xMnO_3$ in the doping range $x\geq 0.50$. Our calculations reproduce the experimental magnetization-temperature curve.