Possible spin-glass state in SmSr-manganites as the origin of the magnetization jumps

Magnetic field-induced step-like changes in magnetization of Sm1-xSrxMnO3 manganites were studied. A strong dependence of these features on the magnetic-field sweep rate was observed. The notable overheating of the sample, starting exactly at the start of the magnetic transition, was observed upon the transition. We suggest that quenched disorder leads to the formation of an inhomogeneous (spin-glass-like) state and to subsequent magnetization jumps driven by a release of latent heat. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.