Quenched disorder induced magnetization jumps in (Sm,Sr)MnO₃

Magnetic field induced step-like changes in magnetization and resistivity of SmSr manganites were studied. A strong dependence of these features on the cooling rate was observed. Magnetostriction, however, does not show the presence of large strain in our samples. From all these features we can rule out the conventional explanation of magnetization jumps as a consequence of martensitic transition. We propose instead that quenched by fast cooling disorder leads to the formation of an inhomogeneous metastable state and to subsequent magnetization jumps.