Coupling of magnetoresistance switching and glassy magnetic state at the metal–insulator transition in Ruddlesden-Popper manganite Ca4Mn3O10

Abstract

Electronic phase separation is a frequent ingredient of the physics of manganites for which the colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) phenomenon is at debate. We investigate the switchable magnetoresistance (MR) effect of the Ruddelsden-Popper (RP) oxide Ca4Mn3O10 (CMO), which shows a metal-to-insulator transition (MIT) at 70 K (TMIT). The static (DC) and dynamic (AC) magnetic susceptibilities of CMO indicate an unusual magnetic phase coexistence below the Néel temperature (TN) i.e., at TMIT, which we describe as a glassy magnetic behavior. Furthermore, by means of synchrotron X-ray diffraction, we observed a structural anomaly directly associated with the MIT. Hence, the onset of glassiness correlates with a slight structural distortion. Interestingly, CMO displays a large positive magneto-resistance (PMR) effect (up to 550% at 4 K) in the metallic state below TMIT, while a small negative magneto-resistance (NMR) effect (-3.5% at 112 K) in the insulating region above TMIT. At TMIT, the PMR switches to NMR behavior. PMR is probably induced via enhancing the exchange interaction by localization of itinerant moment resulting in formation of magnetic polarons, whereas NMR is possibly due to reduced electron-spin scattering. This appears to be a special type of magnetoresistance, different from regular observations, and may open a new avenue in searching for exotic phenomena in manganese-based CMR materials.