Growth and characterization of large La1-xPbxMnO3-delta crystals

The experiments on crystal growth of Ln(1-x)Pb(x)MnO(3-delta) (LPMO) (x = 0 .25) were carried out by the high temperature solution growth method. The l arger crystals (greater than or equal to 1 cm(3)) with an almost constant c omposition were grown at cooling rate 0.5 K h(-1) and LPMO: flux = 1:5 rati o. The obtained crystals were examined by the scanning electron microscopy and the X-ray diffraction methods. It was established by the X-ray double c rystal rocking curve analysis and topography that the larger crystals, adhe red to the bottom of the crucible with large contact area were strained. Th e subgrain structure as well as growth bands and dislocations an often obse rved in such crystals. The low structural quality of these crystals was con firmed by measuring of the magnetic susceptibility (C) 2000 Elsevier Scienc e S.A. All rights reserved.