Dielectrophoresis model for the colossal electroresistance of phase-separated manganites

We propose a dielectrophoresis model for phase-separated manganites. Without increase of the fraction of metallic phase, an insulator-metal transition occurs when a uniform electric field applied across the system exceeds a threshold value. Driven by the dielectrophoretic force, the metallic clusters reconfigure themselves into stripes along the direction of electric field, leading to the filamentous percolation. This process, which is time-dependent, irreversible and anisotropic, is a probable origin of the colossal electroresistance in manganites.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Quantum confinement effects on the ordering of the lowest-lying excited states in conjugated chains

The symmetrized density matrix renormalization group approach is applied within the extended Hubbard-Peierls model (with parameters U/t, V/t, and bond alternation \delta) to study the ordering of the lowest one-photon (1^{1}B^{-}_u) and two-photon (2^{1}A^{+}_g) states in one- dimensional conjugated systems with chain lengths, N, up to N=80 sites. Three different types of crossovers are studied, as a function of U/t, \delta, and N. The U-crossover emphasizes the larger ionic character of the 2A_g state compared to the lowest triplet excitation. The \delta crossover shows strong dependence on both N and U/t. The N-crossover illustrates the more localized nature of the 2A_g excitation relative to the 1B_u excitation at intermediate correlation strengths.Comment: Latex file; figures available upon request. Submitted to PR

Spin-transfer torques in anti-ferromagnetic metals from first principles

In spite of the absence of a macroscopic magnetic moment, an anti-ferromagnet is spin-polarized on an atomic scale. The electric current passing through a conducting anti-ferromagnet is polarized as well, leading to spin-transfer torques when the order parameter is textured, such as in anti-ferromagnetic non-collinear spin valves and domain walls. We report a first principles study on the electronic transport properties of anti-ferromagnetic systems. The current-induced spin torques acting on the magnetic moments are comparable with those in conventional ferromagnetic materials, leading to measurable angular resistances and current-induced magnetization dynamics. In contrast to ferromagnets, spin torques in anti-ferromagnets are very nonlocal. The torques acting far away from the center of an anti-ferromagnetic domain wall should facilitate current-induced domain wall motion.Comment: The paper has substantially been rewritten, 4 pages, 5 figure

Origin of the multiferroic spiral spin-order in the RMnO3 perovskites

The origin of the spiral spin-order in perovskite multiferroic manganites $R$MnO$_{3}$ ($RE=$ Tb or Dy) is here investigated using a two $e_{\rm g}$-orbitals double-exchange model. Our main result is that the experimentally observed spiral phase can be stabilized by introducing a relatively weak next-nearest-neighbor superexchange coupling ($\sim10$ of the nearest-neighbor superexchange). Moreover, the Jahn-Teller lattice distortion is also shown to be essential to obtain a realistic spiral period. Supporting our conclusions, the generic phase diagram of undoped perovskite manganites is obtained using Monte Carlo simulations, showing phase transitions from the A-type antiferromagnet, to the spiral phase, and finally to the E-type antiferromagnet, with decreasing size of the $R$ ions. These results are qualitatively explained by the enhanced relative intensity of the superexchanges.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Non-magnetic B-site Impurities Induce Ferromagnetic Tendencies in CE Manganites

Using a two-orbital model and Monte Carlo simulations, we investigate the effect of nonmagnetic B-site substitution on half-doped CE-type manganites. The lattice defects induced by this substitution destabilize the CE phase, which transforms into (1) the ferromagnetic (FM) metallic competing state, or (2) a regime with short-range FM clusters, or (3) a spin-glass state, depending on couplings and on the valence of the B-site substitution. While a C-type antiferromagnetic state is usually associated with an average $e_{\rm g}$ charge density less than 0.5, the nonmagnetic B-site substitution that lowers the $e_{\rm g}$ charge density is still found to enhance the FM tendency in our simulations. The present calculations are in qualitative agreement with experiments and provide a rationalization for the complex role of nonmagnetic B-site substitution in modulating the phase transitions in manganites.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

Low-Lying Electronic Excitations and Nonlinear Optic Properties of Polymers via Symmetrized Density Matrix Renormalization Group Method

A symmetrized Density Matrix Renormalization Group procedure together with the correction vector approach is shown to be highly accurate for obtaining dynamic linear and third order polarizabilities of one-dimensional Hubbard and $U-V$ models. The $U-V$ model is seen to show characteristically different third harmonic generation response in the CDW and SDW phases. This can be rationalized from the excitation spectrum of the systems.Comment: 4 pages Latex; 3 eps figures available upon request; Proceedings of ICSM '96, to appear in Synth. Metals, 199