Calculations of magnetic x-ray dichroism in the 3<i>d</i>absorption spectra of rare-earth compounds

Abstract

We present atomic calculations for the recently discovered magnetic x-ray dichroism (MXD) displayed by the 3d x-ray-absorption spectra of rare-earth compounds. The spectral shapes expected at T=0 K for linear polarization parallel and normal to the local magnetic field is given, together with the temperature and field dependencies of the intensities of the spectral lines. It is concluded that strong MXD effects can be expected for all rare-earth ions except those having a ground state with either J=0 or L=0.