Theory of anomalous magnon softening in ferromagnetic manganites

In metallic manganites with low Curie temperatures, a peculiar softening of the magnon spectrum close to the magnetic zone boundary has experimentally been observed. Here we present a theory of the renormalization of the magnetic excitation spectrum in colossal magnetoresistance compounds. The theory is based on the modulation of magnetic exchange bonds by the orbital degree of freedom of double-degenerate e_g electrons. The model considered is an orbitally degenerate double-exchange system coupled to Jahn-Teller active phonons which we treat in the limit of strong onsite repulsions. Charge and coupled orbital-lattice fluctuations are identified as the main origin of the unusual softening of the magnetic spectrum.