Crystal-field excitations in multiferroic TbMnO3 by Mn L3 and O K resonant inelastic X-ray scattering

d–d excitations in multiferroic TbMnO3 have been investigated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering at the Mn L3,2 and O K edges. Confrontation between experimental data and multiplet crystal-field calculations performed for Mn3+ ions in D4h symmetry has enabled us to identify the origin of the observed excitations and has provided reliable manganese crystal-field parameters that enter the description of the antisymmetric exchange interaction responsible for the multiferroicity in this compound.