Mapping Structural Phase Separation in Eu$_{0.5}$Y$_{0.5}$MnO$_{3}$ using 3D X-ray Microdiffraction

Phase coexistence in multicomponent manganite systems is known to occur over a wide range of length scales and strongly influences the magnetic and electronic properties. We have used 3D synchrotron x-ray Laue microdiffraction to investigate domain formation and local lattice structure in bulk Eu$_{0.5}$Y$_{0.5}$MnO$_{3}$ single-crystals. X-ray microdiffraction yields 3D spatially-resolved maps of the crystal structure, orientation and lattice parameter, while microfluorescence yields depth-integrated composition maps. The x-ray measurements reveal alternating lamella of orthorhombic Eu-rich and hexagonal Y-rich phases with a self-organized periodicity of $\sim $15 microns. Both phases maintain a well-defined long-range ($\sim $mm) average crystal orientation with respect to the growth direction and to each other. However, small local variations in both orientation (i.e. mosaic) and lattice parameter (strain and composition) are observed, and the possible origins and implications of these inhomogeneities will be discussed.