Disorder-order structural transition in amorphous LaSrMnO films

Using the x-ray diffraction method, the atomic rearrangement in amorphous La0.6Sr0.2Mn1.2O3 films is investigated at growth temperatures T-s = 20-300 degrees C. Two stages in the disorder - order phase transition are discovered. In the first stage, amorphous structure undergoes ordering at T-s = 100 degrees C up to a maximal concentration of small ( D approximate to 30 S A) clusters which occupy 90% of the total volume. In the T-s = 100-150 degrees C temperature interval, disordering in the structure and a change in short-range order prepare the onset of a second stage. In the second stage, starting with T-s = 150 degrees C, the progressive crystallization and transition from mesoscale order to long-range atomic order at T-s = 300 degrees C take place. It is shown that all transitions produce changes in the conductivity mechanisms and magnetic properties of the films.