Magnetic Phase Diagrams of R{sub 1–x}Sr{sub x}(Mn{sub 1–x/2}Sb{sub x/2})O{sub 3} (R = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu) with Trivalent Manganese Ions

The results of neutron-diffraction, magnetic, and magnetotransport studies of La{sub 1‒x}Sr{sub x}(Mn{sub 1-x/2}{sup 3+}Sb{sub x/2}{sup 5+})O{sub 3} (x ≤ 0.7) pervoskites, which contain only Mn{sup 3+} ions, are reported. It is demonstrated that the system undergoes a transition from the antiferromagnetic state to the ferromagnetic one at x ∼ 0.2. Its structure then changes from O′-orthorombic to O-orthorombic, which is attributable to orbital disordering. At x ≥ 0.6, the competition between antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic interactions and strong diamagnetic dilution trigger the emergence of the cluster spin-glass phase. As the ionic radius of rare-earth ions in R{sub 0.7}Sr{sub 0.3}Mn{sub 0.85}Sb{sub 0.15}O{sub 3} decreases, the ferromagnetic state transforms gradually into spin glass (R = Sm). All ferromagnetic compositions are dielectric in the magnetically ordered phase with strong magnetoresistive effects. It is assumed that ferromagnetism is induced by the strong covalency and orbital disordering.