Floating zone growth and compositional inhomogeneity study of La0.75Y0.05Sr0.2MnO3 single crystals

Abstract Single crystals of La 0.75 Y 0.05 Sr 0.2 MnO 3 have been grown by the floating zone technique. The yttrium distribution in the radial and axial directions in the crystals was studied for different growth rates. The sample grown at high rate showed inhomogeneity in the yttrium content in the growth direction, while the sample grown at relatively low rate was homogeneous in the growth direction, but demonstrated compositional separation between the Y-poor central part and Y-enriched peripheral part in the perpendicular plane. The compositional separation led to magnetic inhomogeneity.