Evidence for electronic phase separation between orbital orderings in SmVO3

TL;DR

This study provides evidence of phase coexistence between different orbital orderings in SmVO3, triggered by magnetic ordering and influenced by ionic size and exchange interactions, revealed through high-resolution X-ray diffraction.

Contribution

It demonstrates the coexistence of distinct orbital orderings in SmVO3 and links it to magnetic ordering and ionic size effects, a novel insight into orbital phase behavior.

Findings

Phase coexistence of orbital orderings observed in SmVO3.

Phase coexistence occurs near 130K, below initial orbital ordering at 200K.

Magnetic ordering and ionic size influence phase coexistence.

Abstract

We report evidence for phase coexistence of orbital orderings of different symmetry in SmVO$_3$ by high resolution X-Ray powder diffraction. The phase coexistence is triggered by an antiferromagnetic ordering of the vanadium spins near 130K, below an initial orbital ordering near 200K. The phase coexistence is the result of the intermediate ionic size of samarium coupled to exchange striction at the vanadium spin ordering.