Orbitally Degenerate Spin-1 Model for Insulating V2O3

Abstract

Motivated by recent neutron, X-ray absorption and resonant scattering experiments, we revisit the electronic structure of V2O3. We propose a model in which S=1 V3+ ions are coupled in the vertical V-V pairs forming two-fold orbitally degenerate configurations with S=2. Ferro-orbital ordering of the V-V pairs gives a description which is consistent with all experiments in the antiferromagnetic insulating phase.