Nd doping induced simultaneous magnetic and electronic transition in La 0.83− xNd xK yMnO 3

Abstract

We have studied polycrystalline La 0.83− x Nd x K y MnO 3 using powder X-ray diffraction, magnetic and electrical resistance measurements. Nd doping induces a simultaneous transition on the structure, the magnetic order, and the electronic phase in La 0.83− x Nd x K y MnO 3. It exhibits a rhombohedral–orthorhombic structural transition, a ferromagnetic–paramagnetic transition associated with a metal–insulator transition, and a low temperature magnetic transition antiferromagnetic-like associated with a low-temperature insulating state in La 0.83− x Nd x K y MnO 3. Nd doping also results in the presentation of the second magnetoresistance ratio (MR) peak at low temperature. All these phenomena might be interpreted by Nd doping induced a phase separation between the ferromagnetic metallic state and the antiferromagnetic insulating state at low temperature.