Liquid-like spatial distribution of magnetic polarons revealed by neutron scattering in La{1-x}Ca{x}MnO3

TL;DR

Neutron scattering reveals a liquid-like distribution of magnetic droplets in La{1-x}Ca{x}MnO3, providing insights into electronic phase separation and metal-insulator transition mechanisms.

Contribution

This study uncovers a liquid-like spatial arrangement of magnetic polarons in La{1-x}Ca{x}MnO3 using neutron scattering, offering a new perspective on phase separation.

Findings

Magnetic modulation centered at similar q values indicates liquid-like droplet distribution.

A two-phase model describes droplet size and spacing.

Results suggest unmixing forces influence magnetic and electronic properties.

Abstract

Elastic neutron scattering experiments performed in semi-conducting La(1-x)Ca(x)MnO3 single crystals (x=0.05, 0.08), reveal new features in the problem of electronic phase separation and metal insulator transition. Below TN, the observation of a broad magnetic modulation in the q-dependent scattering intensity, centered at nearly identical qm whatever the q direction, can be explained by a liquid-like spatial distribution of similar magnetic droplets. A semi-quantitative description of their magnetic state, diameter, and average distance, can be done using a two-phase model. Such a picture can explain the anomalous characteristics of the spin wave branches and may result from unmixing forces between charge carriers predicted from the s-d model.