Magnetic and transport properties of phase-separated manganite Bi0.1La0.5Ca0.4MnO3

We have investigated the magnetic and transport properties of Bi0.1La0.5Ca0.4MnO3 manganite, systematically. Four distinct feature temperature points in the temperature dependence of the magnetization curve M(T) occurring at ∼218K, ∼181K,∼112K and ∼38K are observed; these are suggested to be related to charge ordered (CO), weak ferromagnetic (FM), strong FM, and blocked metastable state. These temperature points can be changed by applying magnetic fields. The field-cooled (FC) M(T) curves show an obvious thermal hysteresis between the FC cooling (FCC) and FC warming (FCW) measuring process. The large variation between the FC and zero-field-cooled (ZFC) magnetization curves at low temperatures reflects the existence of blocked metastable states separated by high energy barriers. The blocked state can be weakened or eventually destroyed by applying magnetic fields. The field dependence of the magnetization and resistivity at both 5 K and 130 K shows that the magnetic and electrical transport properties are tightly correlated with the same critical field. The results indicate that CO and FM phases coexist in the sample at low temperatures. The local lattice distortion induced by the Bi3+ doping may play an important role in the complex magnetic and transport properties of the sample.