Effect of Cr Substitution on the Crystal and Magnetic Structure of (Pr_0.55Ca_0.45)MnO₃

The crystal and magnetic structures of (Pr0.55Ca0.45)(Mn1-yCry)O3 (y = 0.00, 0.03, 0.06) have been investigated between 5 and 300 K by means of neutron powder diffraction followed by Rietveld refinement and dc magnetic measurements. An orthorhombic-to-monoclinic phase transition occurs on cooling in (Pr0.55Ca0.45)MnO3; at lower temperature charge ordering in the Mn sub-lattice, coupled with orbital ordering, induces an anti-ferromagnetic (AFM) spin ordering within the monoclinic phase. Cr substitution at the Mn site hinders the phase transition, although for the y = 0.03 sample small amounts of the monoclinic phase co-exist at low temperature with the main phase characterized by an orthorhombic structure. In addition Cr favours ferromagnetism (FM) participating to the double exchange mechanism. Cr substitution prevents charge ordering, favouring double exchange and hence FM spin ordering within the Mn sub-lattice. The Curie temperature of the Cr substituted samples is independent on the Cr content.