Cooperative jahn-teller phase transitions of PrAlO3 using a multiple X-ray diffractometer

Abstract

The structural modulations of the perovskite-type compound PrAlO3 have been studied in the vicinity of the structural phase transitions around 120, 150 and 210 K by using X-ray diffraction combining an energy-dispersive method and a modified Weissenberg camera. The results show that the lattice parameter a p continuously approaches the lattice parameter b p with decreasing temperature below 150K, and finally a p = b p at the 120K transition. It is found that a tetragonal structure appears below about 120 K, where the phase transition between Phases IV and V occurs.