Coexistence of paramagnetic-charge-ordered and ferromagnetic-metallic phases in La0.5Ca0.5MnO3 evidenced by electron spin resonance

Throughout a complete electron spin resonance (ESR) and magnetization study of La0.5Ca0.5MnO3, we discuss about the nature of the complex phase-segregated state established in this compound below T∼210 K. Between TN⩽T⩽TC, the ESR spectra shows two lines characteristic of two different magnetic phases. From the resonance field (Hr) derived for each line, we argue that the incommensurate-charge-ordering phase (ICO) which coexists with ferromagnetic–metallic (FMM) clusters in this temperature interval, is mainly paramagnetic and not antiferromagnetic. The FMM/ICO ratio can be tuned with a relatively small field, which suggests that the internal energy associated with those phases is very similar. Below TN, there is an appreciable ferromagnetic (FM) contribution to the magnetization and the ESR spectra indicates the presence of FM clusters in an antiferromagnetic matrix (canted). Our results show that ESR could be a very useful tool to investigate the nature of the phase-separated state now believed to play a...