Polarized neutron study of the magnetization density in La0.8Sr0.2MnO3

The magnetization density has been studied by polarized neutron scattering in the ferromagnetic La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 manganite at 20 K and at 290 K, close to the Curie point. A weak preponderance of t2g Mn wave functions is observed, as well as a positive polarization on oxygen. At low temperature, the density on Mn corresponds to a well-localized moment of 3 μB and a more diffuse component. Heating the sample leads to a non-uniform renormalization of the magnetization density.