Magnetic Field Dependent Optical Studies of a Layered Antiferromagnet Pr$%_{1/2}$Sr$_{1/2}$MnO$_3$

Abstract

Magnetic field ($H$)-dependent optical conductivity spectra $σ(ω) $ and dielectric constant spectra $ε(ω)$ of a layered antiferromagnet ($A$-type) Pr$_{1/2}$Sr$_{1/2}$MnO$_3$ were presented. At 0.0 T in 4.2 K, the $σ(ω)$ showed a small Drude-like peak in the far-infrared region and a broad absorption peak in the mid-infrared region. With increasing $H$, large spectral weights were transferred from high to low energy regions with increase of the Drude-like peak. We found that a polaron picture could explain most of the $H$-dependent spectral changes. By comparing with the $H$-dependent spectral weight changes and $ε(ω)$ of Nd$_{1/2}$Sr$_{1/2}$MnO$_3$, which has the $CE$-type spin ordering, we showed that a dimensional crossover from a 2-dimensional to a 3-dimensional metal occurs in Pr$_{1/2}$Sr$_{1/2}$MnO$_3$.

submitted to Phys. Rev. B