Ferromagnetic manganites: spin-polarized conduction versus competing interactions

Manganese oxides (R, A)MnO3 (R = La, Y, Bi or rare earth metal, A non-trivalent doping element) have been one focus of research for two outstanding properties: (i) conduction electrons (if any) are highly spin-polarized and (ii) competing interactions of several electronic and lattice degrees of freedom lead to extremely rich phase diagrams and complex physics. A better understanding of the latter might result in future technologies using manganites in spin-electronic devices. This review attempts to systematically outline in a phenomenological approach some fundamentals and key experiments on ferromagnetic manganites, partially with respect to thin film structures. Macroscopic magnetic properties (of ferromagnets and glassy manganites) and intrinsic electron transport are described. Preparation and basic properties of thin films, followed by experiments on spin-polarized tunnelling are reviewed. Finally, multiferroic heteroepitaxial film systems of manganites and ferroelectric titanates are addressed, which are promising candidates for significant magnetoelectric phenomena at ambient temperatures. (topical review)