Tuning the phase separation in La0.325Pr0.3Ca0.375MnO3 using the electric double-layer field effect.

Electric double-layer field effect experiments were performed on ultrathin films of La_0.325Pr_0.3Ca_0.375MnO₃, which is noted for its micrometer-scale phase separation. A clear change of resistance up to 220% was observed and the characteristic metal—insulator transition temperature T_P was also shifted. The changes of both the resistance and T_P suggest that the electric field induced not only tuning of the carrier density but also rebalancing of the phase separation states. The change of the charge-ordered insulating phase fraction was estimated to be temperature dependent, and a maximum of 16% was achieved in the phase separation regime. This tuning effect was partially irreversible, which might be due to an oxygen vacancy migration that is driven by the huge applied electric field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]