Unusual ferromagnetism enhancement in ferromagnetically optimal manganite La(0.7−)(y)Ca(0.3+)(y)Mn(1−)(y)Ru(y)O(3) (0≤y<0.3): the role of Mn-Ru t(2g) super-exchange

The e(g)-orbital double-exchange mechanism as the core of physics of colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) manganites is well known, which usually covers up the role of super-exchange at the t(2g)-orbitals. The role of the double-exchange mechanism is maximized in La(0.7)Ca(0.3)MnO(3), leading to the concurrent metal-insulator transition and ferromagnetic transition as well as CMR effect. In this work, by a set of synchronous Ru-substitution and Ca-substitution experiments on La(0.7–y)Ca(0.3+y)Mn(1–y)Ru(y)O(3), we demonstrate that the optimal ferromagnetism in La(0.7)Ca(0.3)MnO(3) can be further enhanced. It is also found that the metal-insulator transition and magnetic transition can be separately modulated. By well-designed experimental schemes with which the Mn(3+)-Mn(4+) double-exchange is damaged as weakly as possible, it is revealed that this ferromagnetism enhancement is attributed to the Mn-Ru t(2g) ferromagnetic super-exchange. The present work allows a platform on which the electro-transport and magnetism of rare-earth manganites can be controlled by means of the t(2g)-orbital physics of strongly correlated transition metal oxides.