Orientation-dependent x-ray Raman scattering from cubic crystals: Natural linear dichroism in MnO and CeO2

Abstract

Information on valence orbitals and electronic interactions in single crystal systems can be obtained through orientation-dependent x-ray measurements, but this can be problematic for a cubic system. Polarisation-dependent x-ray absorption measurements are common, but are dominated by dipole transitions which, for a cubic system, are isotropic even though a cubic system is not. Many edges, particularly for transition metals, do have electric quadrupole features that could lead to dichroism but proximity to the dipole transition can make interpretation challenging. X-ray Raman Spectroscopy (XRS) can also be used to perform orientation-dependent near-edge measurements – not only dependent on the direction of the momentum transfer but also its magnitude, q. Previous XRS measurements on polycrystalline materials revealed that multipole (higher order than dipole) transitions are readily observable in the pre-threshold region of rare earth N4,5 edges, actually replacing the dipole at high-q. We have extended these studies to examine orientation-dependent XRS for CeO2 and MnO single crystals, as prototype systems for theoretical treatment. Dichroism is observed at both the Ce N4,5 and Mn M2,3 edges in these cubic materials.