A new method for analyzing second-order phase transitions applied to the ferromagnetic transition of a polaronic system

Abstract

A new method for analyzing second-order phase transitions is presented and applied to the polaronic system La${}_{0.7}$Ca${}_{0.3}$MnO${}_3$. It utilizes heat capacity and thermal expansion data simultaneously to correctly predict the critical temperature's pressure dependence. Analysis of the critical phenomena reveals second-order behavior and an unusually large heat capacity exponent.

Accepted for publication in Physical Review Letters