Micro-Raman study of the spin and orbital ordering in SmVO3

Abstract

The spin and orbital ordering have been examined for high-quality SmVO3 polycrystalline compound using Raman spectroscopy. Measurements were obtained on individual microcrystallites in the approximate y(zz)¯y and y(xx)¯y scattering configurations at low temperatures (down to 20K). Based on our experimental data we present evidence of a coexistence of the G and C-type OO phases that occur in SmVO3 for temperatures below 100K. This phase coexistence of orbital orderings puts SmVO3 in a different category from all the other RVO3 compounds that have been studied yet.