Ferromagnetic ground state of the robust charge-ordered manganitePr0.5Ca0.5MnO3obtained by minimal Al substitution

Abstract

We show that minimal disturbance to the robust charge-ordered ${\mathrm{Pr}}_{0.5}{\mathrm{Ca}}_{0.5}\mathrm{Mn}{\mathrm{O}}_3$ by 2.5% Al substitution on the Mn site drives the system toward a ferromagnetic ground state. The history-dependent coexisting phases observed are explained as the outcome of a hindered first-order transition with glasslike arrest of kinetics resulting in irreversibility. Consistent with a simple phase diagram having a ferromagnetic ground state, it is experimentally shown that these coexisting phases are far from equilibrium.