HoFe - Garnet soft XMCD measurements below and above the compensation temperature

Abstract

We have investigated the magnetism of Holmium-Iron-Garnet (Ho3Fe5O12) at the Ho M4,5- the Fe L2,3 - and the O K - edges. As expected switching of the sub-lattice magnetization is observed at the compensation temperature. We will give detailed analysis of the Ho and Fe XMCD signals, using sum rules. Fe dichroism is analyzed in terms of 3d ground state moments and compared to Gadolinium-Iron-Garnet (Gd3Fe5O12). Contributions of octahedral and tetrahedral Fe sites could be separated and analyzed quantitatively. At the oxygen K edge two different structures are observable. Those structures show different temperature dependencies. Therefore we address these features separately to Fe and Rare Earth contributions.