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.