Magnetic, thermodynamic, and structural studies of manganese oxides

Magnetic, thermodynamic, and structural properties of the manganese oxides La1-xCa xMnO3 are studied. Neutron powder diffraction reveals two distinct crystallographic phases as well as two magnetic (ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic) phases for 0.08 < x < 0.14. Details of the compositional dependence of the phase fractions is discussed in the context of local ferromagnetism. Comparisons of magnetic and crystallographic properties are made to the analogous electron-doped Ca1- yLayMnO3 (0 < y < 0.20) system. Thermodynamic properties of La1- xCaxMnO 3 (0 < x < 0.54) are investigated for possible applications in magnetic refrigeration. A maximum magnetic entropy change of 5.5 J/kg K and a corresponding temperature change of 2 K are estimated for x = 0.28. The magnetocaloric effect in antiferromagnetic and charge-ordering compounds is found to be small.