Anomalous pressure effect on steplike magnetostriction of (La0.4Pr0.6)1.2 Sr1.8Mn2O7 bilayered manganese oxide

Abstract

We report the pressure effect on a steplike magnetostriction of single crystalline (La0.4 Pr0.6)1.2Sr1.8Mn2O7 bilayered manganite, for our understandings of the ultrasharp nature of the field-induced first-order transition from a paramagnetic insulator to a ferromagnetic metal phase. Application of pressure suppresses a steplike transformation and causes a broad change in the magnetostriction. A delocalization of carriers is promoted with the applied pressure, resulting in the suppressed steplike behavior. The steplike behavior observed is closely related to the existence of localized carriers.