Paramagnetic spin dynamics in the nonhomogeneous crystals of low-doped lanthanum manganites

The X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique and the model analysis of the EPR linewidth versus temperature were employed to characterize the dopant distribution in a number of La-manganite crystals, low doped with Ca, Sr, and Ba. Such distribution appears to be inhomogeneous in accordance with the results of previous study of EPR susceptibility. The technological originated competition between the quenching and annealing effects during the cooling of the crystals from the high temperatures seems to be the reason of their inherent inhomogeneity. It depends strongly on the dopant nature and, in the crystal doped with 15% of Ba, the inhomogeneity is small as compared to those in the Ca-and Sr-doped samples. It is emphasized that such chemical disorder influences strongly the crystal structure, magnetic state, and transport of these objects. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3056154]