Ferromagnetic ground state of the robust charge-ordered manganite Pr(0.5)Ca(0.5MnO(3)obtained by minimal Al-substitution

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that minimal Al substitution in the charge-ordered manganite Pr(0.5)Ca(0.5)MnO(3) induces a transition to a ferromagnetic ground state, revealing complex phase coexistence and kinetic arrest phenomena.

Contribution

It provides new insights into how slight chemical substitution can alter the magnetic ground state and phase behavior of charge-ordered manganites.

Findings

2.5% Al substitution induces ferromagnetism.

Coexisting phases are non-equilibrium and kinetically arrested.

Hindered first order transition explains phase coexistence.

Abstract

We show that minimal disturbance to the robust charge ordered Pr(0.5)Ca(0.5)MnO(3) by 2.5% Al substitution on Mn-site drives the system towards ferromagnetic ground state. The history-dependent coexisting phases observed are explained as an outcome of a hindered first order transition with glass like arrest of kinetics resulting in irreversibility. Consistent with a simple phase diagram having ferromagnetic ground state, it is experimentally shown that these coexisting phases are far from the equilibrium.