The electronic and magnetic structure of the charge-ordered spinel AlV${}_2$O${}_4$ is studied using a combination of high-energy-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy and density functional theory. We find that the vanadium atoms have a fractional valence close to 2.4$+$ and display a charge and magnetic ordering consistent with previous reports. The oxygen $K$ edge features a prominent prepeak indicative of a strong hybridization of O 2$p$ and V 3$d$ hole states. Experiments at high temperatures confirm a structural transition to a non-charge-ordered state, although no effects of this are observed in the spectra.

• Received 7 February 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.85.195112