Pseudogap behavior in Pr_(0.5)Sr_(0.5)MnO₃: A photoemission study

The valence band electronic structure of Pr$_{0.5}$Sr$_{0.5}$MnO$_3$ has been investigated across its paramagnetic metallic (PMM) - ferromagnetic metallic (FMM) - antiferromagnetic insulator (AFMI) transition. Using surface sensitive high resolution photoemission we have conclusively demonstrated the presence of a pseudogap of magnitude 80 meV in the near Fermi level electronic spectrum in the PMM and FMM phases and finite intensity at the Fermi level in the charge ordering (CO)-AFMI phase. The pseudogap behavior is explained in terms of the strong electron-phonon interaction and the formation of Jahn Teller (JT) polarons, indicating the charge localizations. The finite intensity at the Fermi level in the insulating phase showed a lack of charge ordering in the surface of the Pr$_{0.5}$Sr$_{0.5}$MnO$_3$ samples.