Abstract (EN):
A detailed study of the magnetization M(H,T) of manganites near T-C is presented. Analysis, in the framework of Landau theory of phase transitions (G=G(0)+1/2AM(2)+1/4BM(4)+1/6CM(6)-MH) reveals that for La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 (T-C=267 K), La0.8MnO3 (T-C=250 K), and La0.60Y0.07Ca0.33MnO3 (T-C=150 K) the phase transition is first-order and the B coefficient is temperature dependent, negative near T-C. In field (H<H-C*) and temperature (T-C<T<T-C*) ranges, below the critical point of the first-order phase transition, clear features are found, with hysteresis. For La0.60Y0.07Ca0.33MnO3, H-C*similar to20 kOe, DeltaT=T-C*-T(C)similar to20 K. For La0.67Ca0.33MnO3, on the other hand, H-C(*) is only 250 Oe and DeltaT<1 K. These effects are related with electronic and elastic energy contributions coupled to the magnetic order parameter. The analysis of the vanishing of B above T-C suggests that a tricritical point should occur at T&SIM;310 K, in agreement with the temperature at which the magnetic and structural transitions in La-0.7(Ca1-ySry)(0.3)MnO3 coincide. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.
Idioma:
Inglês
Tipo (Avaliação Docente):
Científica
Nº de páginas:
3