Electronic structure and magnetic properties of the half-metallic ferrimagnet Mn2VAl probed by soft x-ray spectroscopies

We have studied the electronic structure of ferrimagnetic Mn2VAl single crystals by means of soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), x-ray absorption magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD), and resonant soft x-ray inelastic scattering (RIXS). We have successfully observed the XMCD signals for all the constituent elements. The Mn L-2,(3) XAS and XMCD spectra are reproduced by spectral simulations based on density-functional theory, indicating the itinerant character of the Mn 3d states. On the other hand, the V 3d electrons are rather localized since the ionic model can qualitatively explain the V L-2,L-3 XAS and XMCD spectra. This picture is consistent with local dd excitations revealed by the V L-3 RIXS.