SOFT-X-RAY MAGNETIC CIRCULAR-DICHROISM STUDY OF THE COLOSSAL MAGNETORESISTANCE COMPOUND LA1-XSRXMNO3

Soft X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (SXMCD) measurements are report ed on the O K- and Mn L-absorption edges of La1-xSrxMnO3 (x = 0.15, 0. 18, and 0.4) single crystals in their ferromagnetic regime. This has b een done using a recently developed experimental technique for magneti zing the samples offering the possibility to get high-accuracy SXMCD e ffect measurements on bulk samples. The very strong doping-induced O K -edge intensity is proof of an enhanced O 2p hole component of the dop ed holes. O K soft X-ray magnetic circular dichroism spectra give evid ence for an orbital magnetic moment of this O 2p component ferromagnet ically coupled to the Mn moments. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.