Emission Mössbauer studies of the magnetoresistive compound, La0.7Sr0.3MnO3

The magnetic behavior of the Sr_0.3 manganite is studied using a local microprobe, ⁵⁷Co. In contrast with Ca substituted manganites, a much larger fraction of the material exhibits short-range order with superparamagnetic-like behavior even at 80 K. The differences in behavior are attributed to the large mismatch between the ionic radii of La⁺³ and the divalent substituent Sr⁺², which introduces anharmonicity in local vibrations. In common with all other compounds exhibiting negative bulk magnetoresistivity, the Sr_0.3 compound also exhibits very marked softening of lattice as one approaches T_c from below. Application of an external magnetic field results in coalescing of nanosized magnetic clusters to form larger ones with better alignment of spins.