90° Rotation of orbital stripes in bilayer manganite PrCa2Mn2O7 studied by in situ transmission electron microscopy

We present an in situ transmission electron microscopy study on the half-doped bilayer manganite PrCa2Mn2O7 to reveal the rotation process of the orbital stripes. Between the reported initial and final ordering phases, we identified an intermediate state with two sets of satellite spots to bridge the 90 rotation of the orbital stripes. Furthermore, we determined that the rotation of the orbital stripes does not always occur. Some restricted conditions for the orbital rotation to occur were found and reasons are discussed. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.