Spin-orbit coupling and crystal-field splitting in Ti-doped Ca2RuO4 studied by ellipsometry

• In Ca2RuO4, the competition of spin-orbit coupling ζ and tetragonal crystal-field splitting ΔCF has been discussed controversially for many years. The orbital occupation depends on ΔCF/ζ, which allows us to address this ratio via the optical spectral weights of the lowest intersite Mott-Hubbard excitations. We study the optical conductivity of Ca2Ru0.99Ti0.01O4 in the range of 0.75-5 eV by ellipsometry, using the large single crystals that can be grown for small Ti concentrations. Based on a local multiplet calculation, our analysis results in 2.4≤ΔCF/ζ≲4 at 15 K. The dominant crystal field yields a ground state close to xy orbital order but spin-orbit coupling is essential for a quantitative description of the properties. Furthermore, we observe a pronounced decrease of ΔCF with increasing temperature, as expected based on the reduction of octahedral distortions.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Den kondenserade materiens fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Condensed Matter Physics (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Atom- och molekylfysik och optik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Calcium compounds

Ellipsometry

Ground state

Optical conductivity

Single crystals

Titanium compounds

Coupling fields

Crystal field splittings

Crystal fields

Hubbard

Optical spectral weight

Orbital occupation

Orbital order

Spin-orbit couplings

Tetragonal crystals

Ti doped

Ruthenium compounds

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