The electronic structure and magnetic properties of doped manganites surfaces are investigated. It is assumed that, at the outermost layer, the environment of the Mn ions does not have cubic symmetry. The $e_g$ orbitals are split and the double exchange mechanism is weakened. The charge state of the Mn ions is modified, and the magnetic ordering of the spins tends to be antiferromagnetic. The surface magnetization and the dependence of the transport properties through the resulting surface barrier on applied magnetic field and temperature is analyzed.

• Received 22 March 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.60.6698