Revisiting La0.5Sr1.5MnO4 lattice distortion and charge ordering with multi‐beam resonant diffraction

Sinusoidal wave type distortions of La0.5Sr1.5MnO4 in the low‐temperature orthorhombic phase were observed using multi‐beam resonant X‐ray diffraction (MRXD) with (7/4 7/4 0) fractional primary diffraction. Two four‐beam diffractions with opposite asymmetry were measured at 6.5545 keV and compared with the curves simulated by the dynamical X‐ray diffraction theory. This approach provides the possibility of resolving the distortion modes which are perpendicular to the momentum transfer by a single azimuthal scan. The paper also demonstrates the sensitivity of MRXD profiles versus incident X‐ray energy in the vicinity of the Mn K edge to the charge disproportion between the two manganese sites, reconfirming the small charge disproportion feature. Sinusoidal wave type distortions of La0.5Sr1.5MnO4 in the low‐temperature orthorhombic phase were observed using multi‐beam resonant X‐ray diffraction and dynamical theory.