Orbital Ordering in the Manganites :- Resonant X-ray Scattering Predictions at the Manganese L_II and L_III Edges

TL;DR

This paper predicts that resonant X-ray scattering at manganese L edges can directly observe and distinguish orbital and Jahn-Teller ordering in manganites, providing clearer insights than previous K edge measurements.

Contribution

It introduces theoretical predictions for resonant X-ray scattering at manganese L edges, enabling more direct and detailed detection of orbital ordering mechanisms in manganites.

Findings

Distinct energy dependence predicted for L edge scattering

Polarization and azimuthal angle effects can differentiate ordering types

Enhanced sensitivity to orbital and Jahn-Teller effects compared to K edge

Abstract

It is proposed that the observation of orbital ordering in manganite materials should be possible at the L_II and L_III edges of manganese using X-ray resonant scattering. If performed, dipole selection rules would make the measurements much more direct than the disputed observations at the manganese K edge. They would yield specific information about the type and mechanism of the ordering not available at the K edge, as well as permitting the effects of orbital ordering and Jahn-Teller ordering to be detected and distinguished from one another. Predictions are presented based on atomic multiplet calculations, indicating distinctive dependence on energy, as well as on polarization and on the azimuthal angle around the scattering vector.