Ferromagnetic ground state of the robust charge-ordered manganite Pr(0.5)Ca(0.5MnO(3)obtained by minimal Al-substitution

Abstract

We show that minimal disturbance to the robust charge ordered Pr(0.5)Ca(0.5)MnO(3) by 2.5% Al substitution on Mn-site drives the system towards ferromagnetic ground state. The history-dependent coexisting phases observed are explained as an outcome of a hindered first order transition with glass like arrest of kinetics resulting in irreversibility. Consistent with a simple phase diagram having ferromagnetic ground state, it is experimentally shown that these coexisting phases are far from the equilibrium.

This version is Accepted in Physical Review B