Imaging of percolative conduction paths and their breakdown in phase-separated (La1-yPry)0.7Ca0.3MnO3 with y=0.7

Local magnetization and current distribution in (La(1-y)Pr(y))0.7Ca0.3MnO3 (y=0.7) crystals are studied by a magneto-optical (MO) imaging technique. MO images below 120 K visualize inhomogeneous magnetization and conduction paths that manifest the percolative conduction originated from the mesoscopic phase separation into ferromagnetic metals and antiferromagnetic insulators. Application of large amounts of current switches the current distribution from inhomogeneous to homogeneous concomitantly with a steep increase in resistivity. These phenomena are discussed in view of current induced collapse of the phase separation through a local heating.