Description of the Colossal Magnetoresistance of La1.2Sr1.8Mn2O7 Based on the Spin-Polaron Conduction Mechanism in the Ferromagnetic Temperature Range

Abstract

We have analyzed the resistance of La1.2Sr1.8Mn2(1 – z)O7 single crystal in magnetic fields from 0 to 90 kOe in the ferromagnetic temperature range. The observed magnetoresistance of La1.2Sr1.8Mn2O7 is described based on the spin-polaron conduction mechanism. The magnetoresistance is determined by the change in the sizes and magnetic moment directions of magnetic inhomogeneities (polarons). It is shown that the colossal magnetoresistance is ensured by an increase (along the magnetic field) of the polaron linear size. It is found using the method for separating the contributions of different conduction mechanisms to the magnetoresistance that the contribution to the magnetoresistance from the orientation mechanism at 80 K in low magnetic fields is close to 50%. With increasing magnetic field, this contribution decreases and becomes small in fields exceeding 30 kOe. The comparable contributions to the conductivity from the orientational and spin-polaron mechanisms unambiguously necessitate the inclusion of both conduction mechanisms in the magnetoresistance calculations. We have calculated the temperature variation of the polaron size (in relative units) in zero magnetic field and in a magnetic field of 90 kOe.