Advanced resonant soft x-ray diffraction to study ordering phenomena in magnetic materials

Abstract

Here we present recent advances in the resonant soft x-ray diffraction technique and present a review of recent experiments in the field. Our review is focused on the study of charge and orbital phenomena occurring in manganites systems. It is shown how resonant diffraction can access directly the 3d shell of Mn by tuning the x-ray energy to the Mn L2,3edges. Similarly, by tuning the energy to the oxygen K edge, empty oxygen 2p states can be probed. It is shown how the technique probes corresponding atomic multipoles, the monopole (charge), the magnetic dipole, and the orbital (electronic quadrupole) of the open valence shell. © 2010 IOP Publishing Ltd.