Polarization and Resonance Properties of Magnetic X-Ray Scattering in Holmium

Abstract

Be measuring the degree of linear polarization we identify the orbital and spin contributions to the x-ray magnetic scattering in holmium. When the incident x-ray energy is tuned through the ${L}_{\mathrm{III}}$ absorption edge, we observe a fiftyfold resonant enhancement of the magnetic signal, and resonant integer harmonics. The line shapes of the two linear components scattered parallel and perpendicular to the diffraction plane are distinct in energy with a 6-eV splitting.