DETERMINATION OF MAGNETIC-MOMENT DIRECTIONS USING X-RAY RESONANT EXCHANGE SCATTERING

We present determinations of the magnetic structures of NCdNi2B2C and SmN2B2C by means of x-ray resonant exchange scattering (XRES). The int egrated intensity of a number of magnetic reflections was measured as a function of the Bragg angle and compared to model calculations for v arious magnetic structures. The two compounds were found to have the s ame magnetic modulation wave vector but different moment directions. A resonant feature observed below the Sm L(3)-absorption edge, similar to unexplained effects found in other light rare-earth compounds, is i dentified as quadrupolar XRES and is used to refine the details of the moment direction.