Local symmetry breaking in PrFeO3 thin films and other similar systems after Ni doping: A brief Raman study

Raman study of PrFe1−xNixO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) thin films deposited on LaAlO3 substrate by pulsed laser deposition is presented. With doping, a new band is developed at around 574 cm−1. After a certain doping range, there is a decrease in the observed intensity of this band and it becomes hard to resolve it from other observed bands. The generation of this new band in other systems with Ni is also established. The present study is a direct indication of symmetry breaking. The established orthorhombic structure for the present system is doubtful.