X-ray and neutron scattering measurements directly demonstrate the existence of polarons in the paramagnetic phase of optimally doped colossal magnetoresistive oxides. The polarons exhibit short-range correlations that grow with decreasing temperature, but disappear abruptly at the ferromagnetic transition because of the sudden charge delocalization. The “melting” of the charge ordering as we cool through $T_C$ occurs with the collapse of the quasistatic polaron scattering, and provides important new insights into the relation of polarons to colossal magnetoresistance.

• Received 15 July 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.83.4393