Suppression of the low-temperature phase-separated state under pressure in (Eu$_{1-x}$Gd$_{x}$)$_{0.6}$Sr$_{0.4}$MnO$_{3}$ ($x=0,0.1$)

We have demonstrated the effect of pressure on the steplike metamagnetic transition and its associated magnetostriction in (Eu$_{1-x}$Gd$_{x}$)$_{0.6}$Sr$_{0.4}$MnO$_{3}$ ($x=0$ and 0.1). The critical field initiating the field induced ferromagnetic transition in both samples is lowered by the applied pressure. The further application of external pressure up to 1.2 GPa on the $x=0$ parent sample causes a spontaneous ferromagnetic transition with a second-oder like character, leading to collapses of the steplike transition and its concomitant lattice striction. These findings indicate a crucial role of the low-temperature phase separated state characterized by a suppressed magnetization upon decreasing temperature.