Spectroscopy of metallic and insulating V₂O₃

V₂O₃ exhibits as a function of temperature a metal-insulator transition (MIT) associated with a structural and a magnetic transition, which we have studied with x-ray-absorption measurements of V₂O₃ at the V 2p and O 1s edge as well as photoemission measurements above and below the MIT. The O 1s edge shifts ∼0.3eV to lower energy in the metallic phase and the linear dichroism is enhanced in the insulating state, an enhancement discussed in a molecular-orbital picture. These effects are independent of whether the insulating state is achieved by cooling, Cr doping, or stress. We conclude the monoclinic distortion plays only a minor role in the MIT; the major factor is the change in the c/a ratio. The V 2p edge is much narrower in the insulating phase, perhaps due to changes in electron phonon coupling.