Spin-Orbital Excitations in Ca$_{2}$RuO$_4$ Revealed by Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering

TL;DR

This study uses resonant inelastic X-ray scattering to reveal complex spin-orbital excitations in Ca$_{2}$RuO$_4$, highlighting the interplay of crystal-field effects and spin-orbit coupling in its band-Mott insulating state.

Contribution

It provides detailed experimental evidence and theoretical interpretation of spin-orbital excitations in Ca$_{2}$RuO$_4$, advancing understanding of its exotic electronic structure.

Findings

Identification of low-energy spin-orbital excitations with polarization dependence

Observation of high-energy intra-atomic singlet-triplet transitions

Support for a spin-orbit coupled band-Mott insulator scenario

Abstract

The strongly correlated insulator Ca$_{2}$RuO$_4$ is considered as a paradigmatic realization of both spin-orbital physics and a band-Mott insulating phase, characterized by orbitally selective coexistence of a band and a Mott gap. We present a high-resolution oxygen $K$-edge resonant inelastic X-ray scattering study of the antiferromagnetic Mott insulating state of Ca$_{2}$RuO$_4$. A set of low-energy ($\sim$80 and 400 meV) and high-energy ($\sim$1.3 and 2.2 eV) excitations are reported that show strong incident light polarization dependence. Our results strongly support a spin-orbit coupled band-Mott scenario and explore in detail the nature of its exotic excitations. Guided by theoretical modelling, we interpret the low-energy excitations as a result of composite spin-orbital excitations. Their nature unveil the intricate interplay of crystal-field splitting and spin-orbit coupling in the band-Mott scenario. The high-energy excitations correspond to intra-atomic singlet-triplet transitions at an energy scale set by the Hund's coupling. Our findings give a unifying picture of the spin and orbital excitations in the band-Mott insulator Ca$_{2}$RuO$_4$.