Correlation between magnetic and transport properties of phase separated La_(0.5)Ca_(0.5)MnO₃

The effect of low magnetic fields on the magnetic and electrical transport properties of polycrystalline samples of the phase separated compound La$_{0.5}$Ca$_{0.5}$MnO$_{3}$ is studied. The results are interpreted in the framework of the field induced ferromagnetic fraction enlargement mechanism. A fraction expansion coefficient af, which relates the ferromagnetic fraction f with the applied field H, was obtained. A phenomenological model to understand the enlargement mechanism is worked out.