The nonlinear influence of an electric field on phase transitions in ferromagnetic semiconductors: Lanthanum manganite

We investigate nonequilibrium processes of self-heating induced by electric current in ferromagnetic semiconductors exhibiting colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) in the vicinity of the Curie temperature. The heat balance equation is solved taking into consideration localized states that appear as a result of scattering from magnetic inhomogeneities and are characterized by a percolation threshold proportional to the amplitude of spin fluctuations. The appearance of N-shaped current-voltage characteristics and hysteresis in the dependence of magnetization on electric potential difference, which are caused by the emergence of a “hot” (with respect to internal temperature) semiconductor paramagnetic phase, is revealed in the steady-state regime. The possibility of suppression of the effect of colossal magnetoresistance with increasing potential difference is indicated. The onset of self-oscillation of current and magnetization with decreasing transverse dimensions of the sample is demonstrated.