Spin-Orbital Correlated Dynamics in the Spinel-Type Vanadium Oxide MnV2O4

We investigate the magnetic dynamics in the spinel-type vanadium oxide MnV2O4. Inelastic neutron scattering around 10 meV and a Heisenberg model analysis have revealed that V3+ spin-wave modes exist at a lower-energy region than previously reported. The scattering around 20 meV cannot be reproduced with the spin-wave analysis. We propose that this scattering could originate from the spin-orbital coupled excitation. This scattering is most likely attributable to V3+ spin-wave modes, entangled with the orbital hybridization between t(2g) orbitals.