Revealing Fe magnetism in lanthanide-iron intermetallic compounds by tuning the rare-earthL2,3-edge x-ray absorption edges

Abstract

We present a systematic x-ray magnetic circular dichroism XMCD study performed at the rare-earth L2,3 edges in RAl1�xFex2 Laves phase compounds. The progressive substitution of Al by Fe reveals the existence of a non-negligible contribution of Fe to the rare-earth XMCD spectra. This contribution has been isolated and shown to be similar to the dichroic spectrum recorded at the Fe K edge. These results open the possibility of monitoring the Fe magnetism in lanthanides-iron intermetallic compounds by probing the rare-earth L2,3-edge x-ray absorption edges. Intermetallic compounds containing rare earths R and iron are of great technological significance owing to their industrial applications as high-performance permanent magnets. The intrinsic magnetic properties of these materials are determined by the exchange interaction between the R-4f and Fe-3d electrons. This interaction takes place through the hybridization of the Fe 3d states with the 5d ones of the rare earth. 1 Consequently, the study of the R-5d states is of great significance to the search of new advanced magnetic materi