Peculiar physical properties and the colossal magnetoresistance of manganites (Review)

An attempt is made to analyze the most important physical properties of manganites of the La-Ca-Mn-O type, which exhibit the colossal magnetoresistance effect. The primary focus is on the peculiarities of these compounds which are reflected in their crystalline, electronic, and magnetic structures and which determine the possible mechanisms by which an external magnetic field can exert a substantial influence on the transport characteristics of the current carriers in manganites. The combined effect of these factors is to create the necessary conditions for a metal-insulator phase transition that is sensitive to an external magnetic field. Another major topic in this review is a discussion of the scientific problems confronting the physics of manganites.