Jahn–Teller distortion and cluster-glass like behavior in La0.875Ca0.125MnO3 Original Research Article

Neutron diffraction and magnetization measurements were carried out on both powder and single crystal samples of La0.875Ca0.125MnO3. At room temperature (RT), this sample is paramagnetic and single phase, with crystallographic symmetry Pnma (the longest axis is b-axis). Neutron powder diffraction shows that the average magnetic moment of Mn ions is 3.0 (1) μB/Mn at 10 K, which is significantly less than an averaged moment estimated from the ratio of Mn3+/Mn4+ which amounts to 3.875 μB for 12.5% Mn4+, an indication of spin canting. The crystal structure is characterized by the ordering of two eg orbitals, being evidenced by the anomalous change of Mn–O bond lengths which starts from 100 K with decreasing temperature. Neutron diffraction measurement was carried out at 8 K and RT. Diffuse scattering at around 1/2 0 1/2 point was observed at 8 K but disappeared in the paramagnetic region.