Angular dependence of circular magnetic x-ray dichroism in rare-earth compounds.

Abstract

The angular dependence of the circular magnetic x-ray dichroism (CMXD) at the ${\mathit{L}}_{2}$ and ${\mathit{L}}_{3}$ edges of grain-oriented R${\mathrm{Fe}}_{2}$ compounds has been studied to ascertain the multipolar nature of the features above and below the absorption edge. Within experimental error, all features in the CMXD spectra are consistent with dipole transitions between 2p core levels and the unoccupied spin-polarized states. We discuss some possible reasons for the apparent absence of the predicted quadrupolar angular dependence of the features below ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{f}}$.