Jahn–Teller transition and electron–phonon interaction in Cr-doped manganites Sr0.9Ce0.1Mn1−yCryO3

Cr-doped manganites Sr0.9Ce0.1Mn1−yCryO3 (y=0, 0.05, and 0.10) have been systematically investigated by X-ray, magnetic, transport, and elastic properties measurements. For parent compound Sr0.9Ce0.1MnO3, it undergoes a metal–insulator (M–I) transition at 318 K, which is suggested to originate from a first-order structural transition accompanied by Jahn–Teller (JT) transition. With increasing Cr doping content, the JT transition temperature decreases. The Cr doping suppresses the antiferromagnetic (AFM) state and makes the system spin-glass (SG) behavior at low temperatures. In the vicinity of JT transition temperatures, the softening of Youngʹs modulus originating from the coupling of the orbital (quadrupolar) moment of the eg orbital of Mn3+ ion to the elastic strain has been observed. The anomalous Youngʹs modulus properties imply the electron–phonon coupling due to the JT effect may play an important role in the system.