Phase‐coexistence and glass‐like behavior in magnetic and dielectric solids with long‐range order

Abstract

Phase‐coexistence in the manganese‐oxide compounds or manganites with colossal magneto‐resistance (CMR) has been generally considered to be an inhomogeneous ground state. An alternative explanation of phase‐coexistence as the manifestation of a disorder‐broadened first‐order magnetic phase transition being interrupted by the glass‐like arrest of kinetics is now gradually gaining ground. This kinetic arrest of a first‐order phase transitions, between two states with long‐range magnetic order, has actually been observed in various other classes of magnetic materials in addition to the CMR manganites. The underlying common features of this kinetic arrest of a first‐order phase transition are discussed in terms of the phenomenology of glasses. The possible manifestations of such glass‐like arrested states across disorder‐influenced first‐order phase transitions in dielectric solids and in multiferroic materials, are also discussed.