# Electronic Structure and Magnetic Properties of Half-metallic Ferrimagnet Mn$_{2}$VAl Probed by Soft X-ray Spectroscopies

## TL;DR

This study investigates the electronic and magnetic properties of ferrimagnetic Mn2VAl using soft X-ray spectroscopies, revealing element-specific magnetic signals and the nature of Mn and V electronic states.

## Contribution

It provides a detailed element-resolved analysis of Mn2VAl's electronic structure, combining experimental spectroscopy with theoretical simulations to distinguish itinerant Mn 3d and localized V 3d electrons.

## Key findings

- XMCD signals observed for all elements, confirming spin polarization.
- Mn 3d states exhibit itinerant character consistent with DFT simulations.
- V 3d electrons are localized, supported by ionic model and RIXS data.

## Abstract

We have studied the electronic structure of ferrimagnetic Mn2VAl single crystal by means of soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray absorption magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) and resonant soft X-ray inelastic scattering (RIXS). We have successfully observed the XMCD signals for all constitute elements, supporting the spin polarized states at the Fermi level. The Mn $L_{2,3}$ XAS and XMCD spectra are reproduced by the spectral simulation based on density-functional theory (DFT), indicating itinerant character of the Mn 3d states. On the other hand, V $3d$ electrons are rather localized since the ionic model can qualitatively explain the V $L_{2,3}$ XAS and XMCD spectra as well as the local dd excitation revealed by V $L_3$ RIXS.