Mesoscopic thermodynamics and kinetics of an inhomogeneous colossal magnetoresistive phase in a bulk crystal - art. no. 180408

Persistent two-state resistance switchers were found over a narrow region i n the paramagnetic semiconductor to ferromagnetic conductor transition in a bulk La2/3Ca1/3MnO3 single crystal near thermal equilibrium. The dependenc es of switching rates on temperature and magnetic field give thermodynamic parameters similar to those found in macroscopic measurements of the first- order metal-semiconductor transition, and suggest a domain-wall-motion pict ure of the kinetics. Reproducible switchers show the role of quenched disor der in determining the inhomogeneous phase.