  Raman scattering studies as functions of temperature, magnetic field, and
Gd-substitution are used to investigate the evolution of magnetic polarons and
spin-carrier interactions through the metal-insulator transition in
Eu$_{1-x}$Gd$_{x}$O. These studies reveal a greater richness of phase behavior
than have been previously observed using transport measurements: a
spin-fluctuation-dominated paramagnetic (PM) phase regime for T $>$ T$^{*}$ $>$
T$_{C}$, a two-phase regime for T $<$ T$^{*}$ in which magnetic polarons
develop and coexist with a remnant of the PM phase, and an inhomogeneous
ferromagnetic phase regime for T $<$ T$_{C}$.
