Role of surface phenomena in the magnetoresistivity of polycrystalline manganites La1−xCaxMnO3

The dc electrical resistivity and magnetoresistivity of polycrystalline manganites La1−xCaxMnO3 (x=0–0.3) are investigated as functions of the temperature, magnetic field and electric field, along with the microwave surface resistance. The investigations show that the dc electrical resistivity and magnetoresistivity are governed by the surface properties of the intergranular boundaries. The dc electrical resistivity is observed to decrease substantially (tenfold) for a comparatively small electric field (E⋟100 V/cm). Estimates are obtained for the internal electrical resistivity of the granules, the thickness of the contact layer (which depends on the temperature and the magnetic field), and the height of the potential barrier between the interfaces separating the surface layer and inner layer of a granule.