Structural distortions and magnetisms in Fe-doped LaMn_1-xFe_xO ₃ (0< x ≤ 0.6)

X-ray absorption spectra (XAS) at Mn K-edge and Fe K-edge in LaMn_1-xFe_xO₃ show that with the increase of Fe substitution the chemical valence of Mn⁴⁺ decreases, while the chemical valence of Fe³⁺ remains unchanged. Structural distortions, such as the rotating and tilting for oxygen octahedron in the unit cell vary with iron content. A phase transition occurs at the Fe content values of 0.2～0.3. The evolutions of rotation and tilting angle of FeO₆/MnO₆ octahedral may be the vital factors to the structure and magnetism. We believe that the spin configuration of Fe³⁺ may vary from the intermediate spin t_2g⁴e_g¹ (S=3/2) to the higher spin t_2g³e_g² (S=5/2) near the phase transition.