Crystal and Magnetic Structures of Ca₄Mn₃O₁₀, an <i>n</i> = 3 Ruddlesden−Popper Compound

Abstract

The crystal and magnetic structures of the n = 3 Ruddlesden−Popper phase with the ideal composition Ca4Mn3O10 have been studied using X-ray and neutron powder diffraction. The crystal structure at 293 K is relatively insensitive to the partial pressure of oxygen used in sample preparation. A sample prepared in air showed an orthorhombic distortion (space group Pbca, a = 5.26557(12), b = 5.26039(11), c = 26.8276(5) Å) from the ideal n = 3 RP structure, as did a sample prepared under 800 atm of O2 pressure (a = 5.26005(4), b = 5.25569(4), c = 26.83543(20) Å). Both samples showed a magnetic phase transition at 115 K from a paramagnetic phase with extensive short-range spin ordering to a weakly ferromagnetic (μferro = 2 × 10-3 μB per Mn) low-temperature phase. The antiferromagnetic components of the atomic magnetic moments (2.23(2) μB per Mn) order in a G-type manner within each perovskite block, and the interblock coupling reflects the orthorhombic symmetry of the structure.