Abstract
We present a neutron-diffraction, small-angle scattering, and magnetometry study of the narrow bandwidth perovskite cobaltite Pr1-xCa xCoO3, demonstrating an unusual form of magnetoelectronic phase separation where long-range ordered ferromagnetism coexists spatially with short-range ferromagnetism. The two phases have very different coercivities and, remarkably, are strongly exchange coupled. The electronic phase separation thus leads to spontaneous formation of a hard-soft nanocomposite, exhibiting prototypical exchange-spring behavior in the absence of chemical interfaces.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 100411 |
Journal | Physical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics |
Volume | 82 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 22 2010 |