E1 and E2 contributions to the L3 resonance line shape in antiferromagnetic holmium

TL;DR

This paper investigates the detailed angular, energy, and polarization dependencies of E1 and E2 contributions to x-ray scattering in antiferromagnetic holmium, revealing a split dipole resonance and correlating scattering factors with XMCD spectra.

Contribution

It provides the first extraction of E1 and E2 scattering factors considering a split dipole resonance in holmium's L3 edge, enhancing understanding of magnetic x-ray scattering.

Findings

Identification of split dipole resonance in holmium

Extraction of E1 and E2 scattering factors from experimental data

Qualitative agreement between resonant scattering and XMCD spectra

Abstract

A detailed study of the angular, energy and polarization dependences of the electric dipolar (E1: 2p->5d) and quadrupolar (E2: 2p->4f) contributions to the x-ray scattering cross-section is presented for holmium in its basal plane spiral antiferromagnetic phase at the L3 edge. The corresponding E1 and E2 scattering factors have been extracted from fits to the experimental energy line shapes taking into account for the first time a split dipole resonance. Using the imaginary part of the resonant scattering factors to retrieve the XMCD spectrum, we find qualitative agreement with the dichroic spectrum measured in transmission through a holmium foil.