Twin-microstructure enhanced magnetoresistance in La0.67Ba0.33MnO3 oxides

The grain growth dependence of microstructure and its effects on magnetic and transport properties are studied in the polycrystalline La0.67Ba0.33MnO3 oxides. It is found that a lateral growth manner along a certain direction and a concentric terrace pattern along three orthogonal axes occur in the samples sintered at 1573 and 1673 K, respectively. Lamella-like twin microstructure forms in the concentric terrace growth pattern and the magnetoresistance properties can be enhanced by the twin microstructure. It suggests that the twin-boundaries in twin-grains may possibly induce spin-dependent scattering of electrons that is field reduced, or spin-polarized tunneling of electrons that is field enhanced, thus strengthening the effect of grain boundaries.