Volume and anisotropic spontaneous striction in layered manganites: role of charge localization and magnetic interactions.

Thermal expansion measurements have been performed on single crystals of R2-2xSr1+2xMn2O7 (R=Pr, Nd, and Dy) over a wide temperature range (4-900 K). Our analysis allows us to give a general explanation for the large lattice anomalies observed in the layered manganites. Localization of the carriers gives rise to volume and anisotropic anomalies in the paramagnetic regime. The anisotropic distortion is enhanced with the establishment of long-range antiferromagnetism, whereas it is quenched by long-range ferromagnetic order.