The chromium spin density wave: magnetic X-ray scattering studies with polarisation analysis

摘要

We report on X-ray magnetic diffraction studies of the spin density wave antiferromagnetism formed in the conduction electron band of chromium. Non-resonant X-ray magnetic scattering was used to directly determine that chromium has zero orbital magnetisation. Furthermore, the azimuthal dependence of this scattering provides unique evidence that chromium forms a linearly polarised wave. In the vicinity of the K absorption edge, resonant X-ray magnetic scattering was observed. A consistent model of the magnetic scattering has been derived from the resonant and non-resonant magnetic amplitudes. The enhancement of the magnetic intensity arises primarily from dipole transitions from the core 1s level to 4p states. Quadrupole transitions to the magnetic 3d states are essentially non-existent due to their sensitivity to (and the absence of) orbital moment. This effect is predicted from atomic considerations of the 3d~5 (L = 0) transition metal ions.