Resonant Soft X-ray Scattering Investigation of Orbital and Magnetic Ordering in $\rm La_{0.5}Sr_{1.5}MnO_4$

TL;DR

This study uses resonant soft X-ray scattering to analyze the complex orbital and magnetic orderings in La0.5Sr1.5MnO4, revealing their energy dependence and temperature-driven interplay.

Contribution

It provides detailed modeling and analysis of the orbital and magnetic orderings in La0.5Sr1.5MnO4 using resonant X-ray scattering and atomic multiplet calculations, highlighting their energy features and temperature dependence.

Findings

Orbital ordering of d_{x^2 - z^2} / d_{y^2 - z^2} type identified.

Strong temperature-dependent interplay between magnetic and orbital order.

Spectral features linked to specific electronic and structural origins.

Abstract

We report resonant x-ray scattering data of the orbital and magnetic ordering at low temperatures at the Mn $L_{\rm 2,3}$ edges in \lsmo. The orderings display complex energy features close to the Mn absorption edges. Systematic modeling with atomic multiplet crystal field calculations was used to extract meaningful information regarding the interplay of spin, orbital and Jahn-Teller order. These calculations provide a good general agreement with the observed energy dependence of the scattered intensity {for a} dominant orbital ordering of the $ d_{x^2 - z^2} / d_{y^2 - z^2} $ type. In addition, the origins of various spectral features are identified. The temperature dependence of the orbital and magnetic ordering was measured and displays a strong interplay between the magnetic and orbital order parameters.