M. Quijada et al., Optical conductivity of manganites: Crossover from Jahn-Teller small polaron to coherent transport in the ferromagnetic state, PHYS REV B, 58(24), 1998, pp. 16093-16102
We report on the optical properties of the hole-doped manganites Nd0.7Sr0.3
MnO3, La0.7Ca0.3MnO3, and La0.7Sr0.3MnO3. The low-energy optical conductivi
ty in the paramagnetic-insulating state of these materials is characterized
by a broad maximum near 1 eV. This feature shifts to lower energy and grow
s in optical oscillator strength as the temperature is lowered into the fer
romagnetic state. It remains identifiable well below T-c and transforms eve
ntually into a Drude-like response. This optical behavior and the activated
transport in the paramagnetic state of these materials are consistent with
a Jahn-Teller small polaron. The optical spectra and oscillator strength c
hanges compare well with models that include both double exchange and the d
ynamic Jahn-Teller effect in the description of the electronic structure. [
S0163-1829(98)06848-9].