Orthorombic lattice deformation of GdSr2RuCuO8 from high-resolution transmissionelectron microscopy and x-ray powder diffraction analysis

GdSr2RuCu2O8 has been synthesized using a solid state reaction and has been characterized from the structural and physical points of view. The samples exhibit the well-known superconducting and magnetic behavior; in addition, an orthorhombic modification of the GdSr2RuCu2O8 lattice has been detected by both high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and x-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) analysis. Rietveld refinement of the XRPD data has been successfully performed in the orthorhombic Pmmm space group yielding an a0×b0×c0(?3a0) type cell, with octahedral RuO6 polyhedra slightly distorted and rotated around c, b, and a.