Study of magnetic transitions in samarium using X-ray scattering

Extensive use has been made of synchrotron X-ray magnetic and charge scatte ring to study the temperature dependence of long range magnetic order in a samarium film, and of the related magnet ostrictive effects. Resonant magne tic scattering is shell selective and the behavior of the 4f and 5d electro ns could be studied separately through the magnetic phase transitions, with the photon energy tuned close to the samarium L-3 absorption edge. Simulta neously, lattice distortions at the magnetic phase transitions have been ev idenced by the study of strong charge reflections with sufficiently high re solution. Weak charge reflections are also present and are interpreted in t erms of deviations of the hexagonal samarium planes from equidistant positi ons in the c-direction. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.