Correlation Energies in Distorted 3d-$t_{2g}$ Perovskite Oxides

Abstract

Using an effective low-energy Hamiltonian derived from the first-principles electronic structure calculations for the narrow $t_{2g}$ bands of YTiO${}_3$, LaTiO${}_3$, YVO${}_3$, and LaVO${}_3$, we evaluate the contributions of the correlation energy ($E_C$) to the stability of different magnetic structures, which can be realized in these distorted perovskite oxides. We consider two approximations for $E_C$, which are based on the regular perturbation theory expansion around a nondegenerate Hartree-Fock ground state. One is the second order of perturbation theory, which allows us to compare the effects of local and nonlocal correlations. Another one is the local $t$-matrix approach, which allows us to treat some higher-order contributions to $E_C$. The correlation effects systematically improve the agreement with the experimental data and additionally stabilize the experimentally observed $G$- and $C$-type antiferromagnetic (AFM) structures in YVO${}_3$ and LaVO${}_3$, though the absolute magnitude of the stabilization energy is sensitive to the level of approximations and somewhat smaller in the $t$-matrix method. The nonlocal correlations additionally stabilize the ferromagnetic ground state in YTiO${}_3$ and the $C$-type AFM ground state in LaVO${}_3$. Amongst two inequivalent transition-metal sites in the monoclinic structure, the local correlations are stronger at the sites with the least distorted environment. Limitations of the regular perturbation-theory expansion for LaTiO${}_3$ are also discussed.

17 pages, 1 figure, 5 tables

References in corpus (5)

• Orbital-Spin Structure and Coupling to Lattice in RTiO${}_3$ with R=La,Pr,Nd and Sm
• Electronic Structure of Strongly Correlated Systems Emerging from Combining Path-Integral Renormalization Group with Density Functional Approach
• Lattice Distortion and Magnetic Ground State of YTiO${}_3$ and LaTiO${}_3$
• First-Principles Computation of YVO3; Combining Path-Integral Renormalization Group with Density-Functional Approach
• Construction of Wannier functions from localized atomic-like orbitals

Cited by in corpus (1)

• Long-Range Magnetic Interactions Induced by the Lattice Distortions and the Origin of the E-type Antiferromagnetic Phase in the Undoped Orthorhombic Manganites