Electron paramagnetic resonance studies of the insulating ferromagnetic manganite Nd0.8Pb0.2MnO3 above the transition temperature

Single crystals of $Nd_{1-x}Pb_xMnO_3$ with x=0.2 are grown by high temperature solution growth technique using $PbO–PbF_2$ flux. Magnetization studies on the samples show a transition to a ferromagnetic state below Tc \sim 125K and the resistivity measurements show it to be an insulator throughout the temperature range 50–300 K. Electron paramagnetic resonance studies have been performed for T>Tc with a view to comparing the results with those on metallic ferromagnetic manganites. The temperature dependence of various parameters like g-value, linewidth and intensity has been studied in the temperature range 150–300 K. It is found that they behave in a manner similar to that exhibited by metallic ferromagnetic manganites.