IDENTIFICATION OF QUADRUPOLAR EXCITATION CHANNELS AT THE L-3 EDGE OF RARE-EARTH COMPOUNDS

Resonant inelastic x-ray scattering spectra are recorded at the L-3 ab sorption edge of rare-earth ions in R2Fe14B. In all cases, weak resona nces are observed at energies below the dipolar white line resonance, originating from 2p --> 4f quadrupolar excitations. Their energy posit ion is in excellent agreement with that of preedge features in the x-r ay magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) spectra of the same samples. Our results therefore evidence the systematic appearance of quadrupolar e xcitation channels and the importance of their inclusion in the correc t interpretation of the XMCD at the L-3 edges of rare-earth systems. [ S0031-9007(97)04451-7].