Magnetic phase coexistence in Tb+3- and Sr+2-doped La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 manganite:A temperature-dependent neutron diffraction study

We report the results of the temperature-dependent neutron diffraction measurements on the nearly half-doped (La0.325Tb0.125)(Ca0.3Sr0.25)MnO3 manganite sample. The simultaneous doping of magnetic Tb3+ and divalent Sr2+ in the La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 system results into a large A-site size disorder. Rietveld refinement of neutron diffraction data reveal that the single phase sample crystallizes in a distorted orthorhombic structure. Increased 〈rA〉 value affects the transport behavior that results into an insulating-like behavior of the sample. Under application of 1 T field sample exhibit insulating-like behavior while insulator–metal transition (TIM) is exhibited under 5 and 8 T fields. Variable range hoping (VRH) mechanism of charge carriers is exhibited in the insulating region. Field cooled and zero field cooled magnetization measurement shows the Curie temperature (TC)~47 K. The refinement of the ND data collected at various temperatures below 300 K shows that there is no structural phase transition in the compound. Around 100 K, a magnetic peak appears at lower angle that can be ascribed to the presence of the A-type antiferromagnetic (AFM) phase. Two more peaks are observed around 50 K at lower angles that can be fitted in CE-type antiferromagnetic phase. Splitting of the peaks at lower temperatures is the signature of orbital ordering in the presently studied nearly half-doped manganite system. Results of the detailed structural analysis of the temperature-dependent ND measurements on (LaTb)0.45(CaSr)0.55MnO3 sample has been discussed in the light of coexisting A-type and CE-type antiferromagnetic phases present in the sample at low temperature.