Effect of high-current pulsed electron beam irradiation on the structure of La0.7Sr0.3CoO3 powder

The effect of pulsed electron irradiation on the long- and short-range order in the La0.7Sr0.3CoO3 ceramics is reported. Neutron and X-ray powder diffraction reveal that the unit cell symmetry and single-phase state of single and multiple irradiated La0.7Sr0.3CoO3 are preserved, while the oxygen atoms coordination changes towards the La0.5Sr0.5CoO3 structure. X-ray absorption data confirm this observation and further reveal the details of the shift and splitting of the Co3+ t2g and eg atomic orbitals. Possible mechanisms of pulsed electron irradiation effect in La0.7Sr0.3CoO3 are discussed.