Evidence of local lattice distortions in La{sub 1{minus}x}Sr{sub x}MnO{sub 3} provided by pulsed neutron diffraction

Journal Article · Tue Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1997 · Journal of Applied Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.364595· OSTI ID:544301

Louca, D; Egami, T ^[1]

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1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6272. (United States)

The pulsed neutron powder diffraction study of La{sub 1{minus}x}Sr{sub x}MnO{sub 3} reveals that the local atomic structure is significantly different from the long range structure, and these differences are important in understanding their properties. Even though the crystal structure suggests that the Jahn{endash}Teller (JT) distortion disappears quickly with Sr doping, the analysis by the pair distribution function technique indicates that locally JT distortions are always present. Doped charge carriers induce local anti-JT distortions and disrupt the long range JT distortion. In the paramagnetic phase, such anti-JT distortions are represented by Mn{sup 4+} ions, corresponding to small polarons. Below T{sub c} charge carriers are delocalized, but still induce local lattice distortions, giving rise to an inhomogeneous metallic state. The effects of these local distortions are discussed. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}

• OSTI ID: 544301
• Report Number(s): CONF-961141--
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 81; ISSN JAPIAU; ISSN 0021-8979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
66 PHYSICS
ANTIFERROMAGNETIC MATERIALS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
DOPED MATERIALS
JAHN-TELLER EFFECT
LANTHANUM OXIDES
LATTICE PARAMETERS
MANGANESE OXIDES
NEUTRON DIFFRACTION
POLARONS
STRONTIUM OXIDES