Magnetotransport properties of a percolating network of magnetite crystals embedded in a glass-ceramic matrix

Electrical resistance, magnetization, and magnetoresistance have been measured as functions of temperature from 50 to 300 K on three ferromagnetic glass ceramics containing different magnetite crystals by preparing conditions and crystal morphology. Magnetite crystals form a percolating network for electrons with weak links at crystal-crystal contact points. All samples exhibit a broadened Verwey transition, peaked at temperatures lower than measured in bulk stoichiometric magnetite. The negative magnetoresistance ratio increases in absolute value with sample cooling from RT down to the Verwey temperature and decreases on further cooling. This behavior indicates that electron transfer between magnetite crystals is achieved through spin-dependent and spin-independent channels acting in parallel. Magnetic correlation states for spins at contact points between magnetite crystals are studied by plotting the magnetoresistance as a function of reduced magnetization. The transition from activated hopping to variable range hopping affects the magnetoresistance versus magnetization curves.