Circular magnetic dichroism of Fe17Dy2

We have performed circular magnetic dichroism experiments on a single cryst al of Fe17Dy2 at ambient temperature. By applying sum rules we have calcula ted the ratio of [L-z] to [S-z] for the Fe atom, obtaining the result 0.40/-0.14. This ratio is compared with ratios measured previously for related compounds using the same technique. We have also observed strong dichroism at the M edge of Dy, in spite of the fact that pure dysprosium is paramagne tic at ambient temperature. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reser ved.