Magnetoresistive memory in phase-separated La0.5Ca0.5MnO3

Abstract We have studied a non-volatile memory effect in the mixed valent compound La 0.5 Ca 0.5 MnO 3 induced by magnetic field ( H ). In a previous work (Phys. Rev. B 65 (2002) 104403), it has been shown that the response of this system upon application of H strongly depends on the temperature range, related to three well-differentiated regimes of phase separation occurring below 220 K. In this work we compare memory capabilities of the compound, determined following two different experimental procedures for applying H , namely zero-field cooling and field cooling the sample. These results are analyzed and discussed within the scenario of phase separation.