Evolution of the spin-state transition with doping in La₁₋_xSr_xCoO₃

Journal Article · Mon Aug 20 00:00:00 EDT 2012 · Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.86.054428· OSTI ID:1103163

Smith, R. X.; Hoch, M. J. R.; Moulton, W. G.; Kuhns, P. L.; Reyes, A. P.; Boebinger, G. S.; Zheng, H.; Mitchell, J. F.

The thermally induced spin-state transition of Co³⁺ ions in the cobaltite LaCoO₃, found at temperatures in the range 40 to 120 K, has been the subject of extensive experimental and theoretical investigation. Much less is known about what happens to the spin-state transition in hole-doped La₁₋_xSr_xCoO₃ (LSCO). The present ¹³⁹La NMR experiments show that spin-state transitions persist in nanoscale hole-poor regions of the inhomogeneous doped material. In fact, thermally induced spin-state transitions remain important for doping levels close to the metal-insulator critical concentration of x_C=0.17. This finding suggests that the unusual glassy behavior seen in doped LSCO for x<0.18 results from the interplay of spin-state transitions in hole-poor regions and ferromagnetism in hole-rich regions.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 1103163
• Journal Information: Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, Journal Name: Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics Vol. 86 Journal Issue: 5; ISSN 1098-0121
• Publisher: American Physical Society
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English