Magnetic structure determination using polarised resonant X-ray scattering

• Published in: Journal of magnetism and magnetic materials Vol. 321; no. 7; pp. 810 - 813
• Main Authors: Hatton, P.D., Johnson, R.D., Bland, S.R., Mazzoli, C., Beale, T.A.W., Du, C.-H., Wilkins, S.B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier B.V 01.04.2009
• Subjects: ACCURACY; MAGNETIC MOMENTS; magnetic structure; Magnetism; Manganite; MATERIALS SCIENCE; MONOCRYSTALS; Multiferroic; polarised resonant x-ray scattering; ROTATION; SCATTERING; X-ray scattering; X-ray scattering; Manganite; 75.47.Lx; 75.50.Ee; 75.25.+z; 78.70.Ck; Magnetism; Multiferroic
• ISSN: 0304-8853
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmmm.2008.11.071

Full polarisation analysis of resonant X-ray magnetic scattering (RXMS) is shown to advance the determination of magnetic moment directions of complex magnetic structures within single crystals. Key features of this novel method are the variation of the incident beam polarisation through the use of an X-ray phase plate, and the measurement of the scattered beam polarisation in terms of Poincaré–Stokes parameters. Contrary to the established method, no azimuthal rotation is required. Thus, the major sources of systematic error are eliminated, and the method is compatible with exotic and complex sample environments. The technique is demonstrated with the example of TbMn 2O 5. The RXMS theory briefly outlined in this paper was fitted to the data, and the local and delocalized, band-specific moment directions associated with the magnetic order of the resonating species was refined with a high degree of accuracy.