Microdomain structure of Cr-doped manganites: Nd1/2Ca1/2(Mn,Cr)O-3

Crystal and magnetic structures of Cr-doped manganites, Nd-1/2 Ca1/2Mn1-yCr yO3 (y = 0.00 and 0.03): have been investigated by synchrotron radiation (S R) x-ray powder diffraction as well as neutron powder diffraction measureme nts. A detailed analysis of the high-resolution x-ray profile has revealed that the Cr-doped compound exhibits broad extra reflections, suggesting the formation of microdomains below the charge-ordering temperature T-CO. The origin of the microdomain structure is discussed in terms of the charge sep aration.