Peculiarities of magnetic, elastic and transport properties near the Curietemperature in Nd1-xSrxMnO3 manganites

The close interplay between magnetic, transport and elastic properties in N d1-xSrxMnO3 (x = 0.33, 0.45) compounds is found. Near the Curie point we ha ve observed: (i) an abrupt minimum on the temperature dependence of negativ e volume magnetostriction omega (T) (ii) the large volume contraction (Delt aV/V approximate to 0.1% for x = 0.33 compound), (iii) a maximum on the tem perature dependence of resistivity rho (T), (iv) a maximum on the temperatu re dependence of absolute value of negative magnetoresistance. We have obta ined large negative volume magnetostriction omega approximate to -10(-4) in a relatively low magnetic field B = 0.9 T and colossal negative magnetores istance in the same magnetic field in the wide temperature region. These pr operties are explained by the existence of the conducting magnetic two-phas e state in our compounds.