X-ray Magnetic Circular/Linear Dichroism

This Technique is currently not available and thus should not be included in your “Wishlist.” 

X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism (XMCD) is a sophisticated technique used in the field of material science and magnetism. It involves the differential absorption of left and right circularly polarized X-rays in the presence of a magnetic field. This difference spectrum is obtained by comparing two X-ray absorption spectra (XAS), one with each polarization direction. The analysis of the XMCD spectrum can reveal detailed information about the magnetic properties of atoms, such as their spin and orbital magnetic moments. This is particularly useful for studying transition metals like iron, cobalt, and nickel, where the absorption spectra are typically measured at the L-edge, corresponding to electron transitions that are crucial for understanding magnetic properties. In the case of rare-earth elements, the M4,5-edges are examined, which relate to electron excitations that provide insights into the magnetic behavior of these materials. XMCD is valuable because it allows for the observation of magnetic moments with high sensitivity and is element-specific, making it a powerful tool for investigating the magnetic characteristics of various materials.