Valence and magnetic state of transition-metal and rare-earth ions in single-crystal multiferroics RMn2O5 (RÂ =Â Y, Bi, Eu, Gd) from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data

► Single crystals RMn2O5 (R = Y, Bi, Eu, Gd) and YMnO3 are grown. ► Core level XPS are measured and calculated with inclusion of temperature effect. ► Mn2p, Mn3s, R4s, and R4d (R = Eu, Gd) XPS are sensitive to valence and spin state. ► Paramagnetic moments per structural cell are estimated.