Visualization of charge ordering in a half-doped manganite by an electrostatic potential analysis

We have experimentally investigated the charge density distribution and the electrostatic potential for a charge-ordering doped manganite, Nd1/2Sr1/2MnO3. In the charge-ordered state, we observed a zigzag pattern of the charge density within the (010) plane. Judging from the MnO6 distortion, we ascribed the pattern to the bonding electron in the p(x(y))-d(x2-y2) hybridized state, not to the so-called d(3x)(2)-r(2)/d(3y2-r2) orbital ordering. We further calculated the electrostatic potential U(r) from the charge density and the atomic positions, which clearly indicates the checkerboard-type charge disproportionation within the (010) plane.