Giant electroresistance and nonlinear conduction in electron-doped Ca0.9Ce0.1MnO3

We report a large resistance drop induced by Dc electrical currents in charge-ordered Ca0.9Ce0.1MnO3. A giant electroresistance (ER) of ∼90% at 100 mA current below charge ordering (CO) transition temperature (TCO) is found. Nonlinear conduction, which starts above a threshold current, gives rise to a region of negative differential resistance (NDR). The nonlinear conduction cannot be explained by homogeneous Joule heating of the sample. The origin of these phenomena is discussed in view of current induced collapse of CO state associated with phase-separation mechanism. This work can be useful for the potential applications of ER such as nonvolatile memory elements.