The crystal structure, magnetization, and resistivity of the ${\mathrm{La}}_{0.8}{\mathrm{Ba}}_{0.2}{\mathrm{MnO}}_3$ single crystal are studied in the vicinity of the structural phase transition point. The x-ray experiments show the Pbnm and $R3\mathrm{}¯c$ phases to coexist at least within the interval $185<T<\mathrm{}196\mathrm{}\mathrm{K}.$ The thermal hysteresis of magnetization and resistivity is observed. The interrelations between structural, magnetic, and resistivity properties are analyzed in terms of simple phenomenological theory.

• Received 11 August 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.61.11229