Extrinsic inhomogeneity effects in magnetic, transport and magnetoresistive properties of La_{1-x}Ca_{x}MnO_{3} (x\approx 0.33) crystal prepared by the floating zone method

TL;DR

This study investigates the magnetic, transport, and magnetoresistive properties of La_{1-x}Ca_{x}MnO_{3} crystals, revealing high magnetoresistance near the Curie temperature and the influence of extrinsic inhomogeneities like grain boundaries.

Contribution

It provides new insights into how extrinsic inhomogeneities such as grain boundaries affect the properties of La_{1-x}Ca_{x}MnO_{3} crystals prepared by the floating-zone method.

Findings

Magnetoresistance of about 2680% near 216 K.

Good crystal quality with some extrinsic inhomogeneities.

Influence of grain boundaries and twins on properties.

Abstract

The paper describes a study of the magnetic, transport and magnetoresistive properties of La_{1-x}Ca_{x}MnO_{3} (x\approx 0.33) crystals prepared by the floating-zone method. We found that these properties testify to rather good crystal perfection of the sample studied. In particular, a huge magnetoresistance ([R(0)-R(H)]/R(H) in the field H = 5 T is about 2680 %) is found near the Curie temperature (216 K). At the same time, some distinct features of measured properties indicate the influence of extrinsic inhomogeneities arising due to technological factors in the sample preparation. Analysis of the data obtained shows that these are rare grain boundaries and twins. Specific influence of the grain-boundary-like inhomogeneities on the transport and magnetoresistive properties are considered.