Abstract
We report on a Ni L-2,L-3 edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy study in RNiO3 perovskites. These compounds exhibit a metal-to-insulator (MI) transition as temperature decreases. The L-3 edge presents a clear splitting in the insulating state, associated to a less hybridized ground state. Using charge transfer multiplet calculations, we establish the importance of the crystal field and 3d spin-orbit coupling to create a mixed-spin ground state. We explain the MI transition in RNiO3 perovskites in terms of modifications in the Ni3+ crystal field splitting that induces a spin transition from an essentially low-spin to a mixed-spin state.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 020406 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Physical review. B, Condensed matter and materials physics |
Volume | 71 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jan 2005 |
Keywords
- NEUTRON-DIFFRACTION
- CHARGE DISPROPORTIONATION
- CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE
- RARE-EARTH
- PRNIO3
- NDNIO3
- GAP
- ND