Reversible thermally controlled spontaneous magnetization switching in perovskite-type manganite

摘要

Reversible, thermally controlled, spontaneous magnetization switching (reversible TCSMS) is demonstrated in the absence and presence of an external magnetic field in polycrystalline perovskite-type CaMn_(0.95)Sb_(0.05)O_3. The spontaneous magnetization value is retained throughout a cyclic process even in bias magnetic fields. Neutron diffraction and theoretical studies indicate that two weak ferromagnetic phases, namely, spin-canted G- and A-type antiferromagnetic phases, coexist and that their ratio changes during magnetization switching. This spin structure transition is attributable to growth of e_g orbital ordering clusters. The coexistence of two weak ferromagnetic phases plays a key role in exhibiting reversible TCSMS.