Abstract
We analyze the essential role played by complex energy landscapes in the nanometer- to micron-scale inhomogeneities observed in perovskite manganites using a model expressed in terms of symmetrized atomic-scale lattice distortion modes. We also examine the stability of large metal and insulator domains in the absence of defects. Our results demonstrate that an intrinsic mechanism, which involves long-range interactions between strain fields, the Peierls-Nabarro energy barrier, and complex energy landscapes with multiple metastable states, rather than an extrinsic mechanism such as chemical randomness, is responsible for the inhomogeneity in perovskite manganites.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Article number | 144415 |
Journal | Physical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics |
Volume | 88 |
Issue number | 14 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 17 2013 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Condensed Matter Physics