Study of magnetic transitions in samarium using X-ray scattering

Abstract Extensive use has been made of synchrotron X-ray magnetic and charge scattering to study the temperature dependence of long range magnetic order in a samarium film, and of the related magnetostrictive effects. Resonant magnetic scattering is shell selective and the behavior of the 4f and 5d electrons could be studied separately through the magnetic phase transitions, with the photon energy tuned close to the samarium L 3 absorption edge. Simultaneously, lattice distortions at the magnetic phase transitions have been evidenced by the study of strong charge reflections with sufficiently high resolution. Weak charge reflections are also present and are interpreted in terms of deviations of the hexagonal samarium planes from equidistant positions in the c -direction.