Magnetic X-Ray Scattering Study of GdCo<sub>2</sub>Ge<sub>2</sub> and NdCo<sub>2</sub>Ge<sub>2</sub>

Abstract

The results of magnetic x-ray resonant exchange scattering (XRES) experiments are important to the development of an understanding of magnetic interactions in materials. The advantages of high Q resolution, polarization analysis, and the ability to study many different types of materials make it a vital tool in the field of condensed matter physics. Though the concept of XRES was put forth by Platzman and Tzoar in 1970, the technique did not gain much attention until the work of Gibbs and McWhan et al. in 1988. Since then, the technique of XRES has grown immensely in use and applicability. Researchers continue to improve upon the procedure and detection capabilities in order to study magnetic materials of all kinds. The XRES technique is particularly well suited to studying the rare earth metals because of the energy range involved. The resonant L edges of these elements fall between 5-10 KeV. Resonant and nonresonant x-ray scattering experiments were performed in order to develop an understanding of the magnetic ordering in GdCo{sub 2}Ge{sub 2} and NdCo{sub 2}Ge{sub 2}.