Oxygen Stoichiometry Modification by $O_{2}$-Plasma Treatment in $La_{0.7}$$Ca_{0.3}$Mn$O_{3-$\delta$}$

Oxygen-plasma effects of single crystal and thin film samples of L $a_{0.7}$C $a_{0.3}$Mn $O_{3-}$$\delta$/ have been studied. Our resistivity measurements indicate that oxygen plasma treatment gives rise to oxygen diffusion into bulk regions, which results in a decrease of M $n^{3+}$ concentration in oxygen nonstoichiometric L $a_{0.7}$C $a_{0.3}$Mn $O_{3-}$$\delta$/ and in the activation energies of Holstein's small polarons in the paramagnetic region.n.egion.n.n.