Magnetic state of the structural separated anion-deficient La0.70Sr0.30MnO2.85 manganite

The results of neutron diffraction studies of the La0.70Sr0.30MnO2.85 compound and its behavior in an external magnetic field are stated. It is established that in the 4–300 K temperature range, two structural perovskite phases coexist in the sample, which differ in symmetry (groups $$R\bar 3c$$ and I4/mcm). The reason for the phase separation is the clustering of oxygen vacancies. The temperature (4–300 K) and field (0–140 kOe) dependences of the specific magnetic moment are measured. It is found that in zero external field, the magnetic state of La0.70Sr0.30MnO2.85 is a cluster spin glass, which is the result of frustration of Mn3+-O-Mn3+ exchange interactions. An increase in external magnetic field up to 10 kOe leads to fragmentation of ferromagnetic clusters and then to an increase in the degree of polarization of local spins of manganese and the emergence of long-range ferromagnetic order. With increasing magnetic field up to 140 kOe, the magnetic ordering temperature reaches 160 K. The causes of the structural and magnetic phase separation of this composition and formation mechanism of its spin-glass magnetic state are analyzed.