Robust magnetic polaron percolation in the antiferromagnetic CMR system EuCd2P2

The interplay between magnetism and charge transport is central to understanding colossal magnetoresistance (CMR), a phenomenon well studied in ferromagnets. Recently, antiferromagnetic (AFM) EuCd₂P₂ has attracted considerable interest due to its remarkable CMR, for which magnetic fluctuations and the formation of ferromagnetic clusters have been proposed as key mechanisms. Here we provide direct evidence that these effects originate from the formation and percolation of magnetic polarons. We employ a complementary set of sensitive probes that allows for a direct comparison of electronic and magnetic properties on multiple time scales revealing pronounced electronic and magnetic phase separation below <i>T</i> ^* ≈ 2<i>T</i> _<i>N</i> . These measurements indicate an inhomogeneous, percolating electronic system below <i>T</i> ^* and well above the magnetic ordering temperature <i>T</i> _<i>N</i> = 11 K. In applied magnetic fields, the onset of the pronounced negative MR in the paramagnetic regime emerges at a universal critical magnetization. The characteristic size of the magnetic polarons near the percolation threshold is estimated to be ~6-10 nm. Our results establish dynamic polaron percolation within an AFM matrix as the microscopic origin of CMR in EuCd₂P₂, providing a unified framework for magnetotransport in Eu-based correlated semiconductors.