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Local Jahn-Teller distortion in La{sub 1{minus}x}Sr{sub x}MnO{sub 3} observed by pulsed neutron diffraction

Journal Article · · Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter
;  [1]; ; ;  [2]
  1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104 (United States)
  2. Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 (United States)

The atomic pair-density function of La{sub 1{minus}x}Sr{sub x}MnO{sub 3} (0{le}x{le}0.4) obtained by pulsed neutron diffraction indicates that their local atomic structure significantly deviates from the average structure, and that the local Jahn-Teller (JT) distortion persists even when the crystallographic structure shows no JT distortion. In the paramagnetic insulating phase doped holes form one-site small polarons, represented by the local absence of JT distortion. The polarons become more extended at low temperatures, but local distortions are found even in the metallic phase. The role of polarons in the phase transitions in transport and magnetic properties are discussed. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}

DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
632651
Journal Information:
Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter, Journal Name: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter Journal Issue: 14 Vol. 56; ISSN PRBMDO; ISSN 0163-1829
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English