Effect of Spin-Orbit Interaction on (4d)3- and (5d)3-Based Transition-Metal Oxides

The effects of a spin-orbit interaction on transition-metal ions of (4d)(3)- and (5d)(3)-based oxides in which three electrons occupy t(2g) orbitals are studied. The amplitude of the magnetic moment of d electrons on the 5d and 4d orbitals is estimated by numerical diagonalization. It is found that the magnetic moment is reduced by the spin-orbit interaction. It is suggested that (4d)(3)- and (5d)(3)-based oxides are located in the middle of the L-S and J-J coupling schemes.