Heisenberg-like ferromagnetism and percolative conductivity in the half-doped manganite Nd 0.5Ca 0.25Sr 0.25MnO 3

Abstract

The magnetic behavior and electronic transport in the half-doped manganite Nd 0.5Ca 0.25Sr 0.25MnO 3 have been investigated. The critical exponents are studied by using isothermal magnetization methods. The results show that the paramagnetic–ferromagnetic transition is second order and the magnetic interaction is satisfied with the prediction of three-dimensional Heisenberg model. The electronic transport belongs to the percolation mechanism. These findings demonstrate that the critical behavior of the magnetic transition and conductivity for manganites are related to Mn-site ordering degree.