Spatial distribution and possible phase separation of the photo-induced state

Ascertain the spatial distribution of the photo-induced phase in La2/3Ca1/3MnO3 at micron and sub-micron length scales, and determine whether phase separation and incomplete switching between antiferromagnetic insulating and photo-induced domains occur following 1030 nm excitation.

Background

Using micron-scale RIXS measurements, the authors identify spectral changes indicating a distinct photo-induced state but note the limitation in spatial resolution, which prevents direct visualization of domain textures or phase separation.

They contrast the photo-induced spectra with those from an equilibrium mixed-phase film, suggesting differences, yet explicitly acknowledge that the spatial configuration of the photo-induced state cannot be resolved with their current setup.

References

However, with only a micron-scale spatial resolution, the spatial distribution of the photo-induced phase remains unknown with the possibility of phase separation and non-complete switching between the AFI and the photo-induced phases.

— Excitations across the equilibrium and photoinduced `hidden' states of magnetoresistive manganites  (2604.00991 - Fan et al., 1 Apr 2026) in Section VI: Fluence dependence of phonons and polaron excitations