Comment on a Phys. Rev. Lett. paper: the origin of the excited state in LaCoO3

TL;DR

This paper argues that the first excited state in LaCoO3 is the high-spin state, countering a recent claim, and supports this with theoretical analysis consistent with the Tanabe-Sugano diagram.

Contribution

It clarifies the nature of the first excited state in LaCoO3 as high-spin, challenging recent conflicting claims with theoretical backing.

Findings

The first excited state in LaCoO3 is high-spin.

Supports the interpretation with Tanabe-Sugano diagram.

Counteracts recent claims about the excited state.

Abstract

In contrary to a claim of the recent Phys. Rev. Lett. 96 (2006) 027201 paper we maintain that the first excited state in LaCoO3 is the high-spin (HS) state (a lowest quasi-triplet from the octahedral subterm 5T2g of the 5D term, Phys. Rev. B 67 (2003) 172401) in agreement with the Tanabe-Sugano diagram.