Synchrotron x-ray-diffraction study of orbital ordering in YVO3

Synchrotron x-ray-diffraction experiments have been carried out in a perovs kite-type vanadium oxide YVO3 to elucidate orbital ordering of the system. The change from C- to G-type orbital ordering at the lower magnetic transit ion temperature was strongly suggested. The long-range orbital ordering app ears also in the high-temperature paramagnetic phase. Azimuthal-angle depen dence of orbital superlattice reflections indicates that for both orbital-o rdering phases the orbital occupation is approximately the d(xy)(1)d(yz)(1) and d(xy)(1)d(zx)(1) configuration tion in two sublattices. respectively. These results are in good agreement with a theoretical prediction.