Correlation of local Jahn-Teller distortions to the magnetic/conductive states of La1-xSrxCoO3

By relating the structural changes measured using the pair density function analysis of pulsed neutron data for LaCoO3, we provide evidence for the evolution of the magnetic state with temperature, from the low-spin state to partial occupation of the intermediate spin (IS) and to the high-spin states. It can also be inferred that the coupling strength of the lattice to the eg electronic states is temperature dependent. The introduction of carriers in La1-xSrxCoO3 stabilizes the IS states, populated at a rate proportional to the overall carrier density. The transition to the metallic state with doping is accompanied by distortions of the lattice at short length scales, which is compatible with the picture of a Jahn-Teller glass. copyright 1999 The American Physical Society