Colossal resistivity change associated with the charge ordered / disordered transition: Monte Carlo study

Abstract

Earlier theoretical approaches to manganites mainly stem from magnetic framework in which the electronic transports are thought to be spin-dependent and the double exchange plays a vital role. However, quite a number of experimental observations cannot be explained in the magnetic framework, yet. For example, multiplicate insulator-metal transitions and resistivity reduction induced by perturbations other than magnetic field, such as electric current, are not well understood in this framework. Here we present a comprehensive analysis on the magnetic framework and give a Monte Carlo study on the resistivity of a charge ordered/disordered model without accounting for the spin degree of freedom. The result shows a colossal resistivity change as a resultant of the transition between two types of insulated states. This transition has intrinsic difference from the popular insulated-to-metallic transition in the magnetic framework. The present scenario can be used to explain some experimental facts for electronic transports in manganites, which are not accessible in the magnetic framework.