Abstract
The spin-flop transition in the antiferromagnetic layered manganite La1.4Sr1.6Mn2O7 was studied using magnetization measurements and a high-resolution magneto-optical imaging technique. We report the direct observation of the formation of ferromagnetic domains appearing at the first order spin-flop transition. The magnetization process proceeds through nucleation of polarized domains at crystal defect sites and not through the expansion of polarized domains due to domain wall motion. A small magnetic hysteresis is caused by the difference between the mechanisms of nucleation and annihilation of domains in the mixed state. These results establish a direct link between the magnetic structure on the atomic scale as seen in neutron scattering and the macroscopic properties of the sample as seen in magnetization and conductivity measurements.
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