Quadratic X-ray magneto-optical effect upon reflection in a near-normal-incidence configuration at the M edges of 3d-transition metals.
We have observed a quadratic x-ray magneto-optical effect in near-normal-incidence reflection at the M edges of iron. The effect appears as the magnetically induced rotation of approximately 0.1 degrees of the polarization plane of linearly polarized x-ray radiation upon reflection. A comparison of the measured rotation spectrum with results from x-ray magnetic linear dichroism data demonstrates that this is the first observation of the Schäfer-Hubert effect in the x-ray regime. Ab initio density-functional theory calculations reveal that hybridization effects of the 3p core states necessarily need to be considered when interpreting experimental data. The discovered magneto-x-ray effect holds promise for future ultrafast and element-selective studies of ferromagnetic as well as antiferromagnetic materials.
Valencia
S
S
Helmholtz-Zentrum-Berlin, BESSY, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 15, D-12489 Berlin, Germany. sergio.valencia@helmholtz-berlin.de
Kleibert
A
A
Gaupp
A
A
Rusz
J
J
Legut
D
D
Bansmann
J
J
Gudat
W
W
Oppeneer
P M
PM