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A universal relationship between magnetization and local structure changes below the ferromagnetic transition in La1-xCaxMnO3; evidence for magnetic dimers

L. Downward, F. Bridges, S. Bushart, J. J. Neumeier, N. Dilley, L. Zhou

cond-mat.mtrl-sciarXiv:cond-mat/0407044

Abstract

We present extensive X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (XAFS) measurements on La1-xCaxMnO3 as a function of B-field (to 11T) and Ca concentration, x (21-45%). These results reveal local structure changes (associated with polaron formation) that depend only on the magnetization for a given sample, irrespective of whether the magnetization is achieved through a decrease in temperature or an applied magnetic field. Furthermore, the relationship between local structure and magnetization depends on the hole doping. A model is proposed in which a filamentary magnetization initially develops via the aggregation of pairs of Mn atoms involving a hole and an electron site. These pairs have little distortion and it is likely that they pre-form at temperatures above Tc.

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