RESONANT SOFT-X-RAY INELASTIC-SCATTERING FROM GD IN THE GD3GA5O12 GARNET WITH EXCITATION ACROSS THE M-5 EDGE

We present resonant soft-x-ray scattering measurements across the M-5 edge of Gd in Gd3Ga5O12. Below or near the Gd M-5 edge the scattering is dominated by the elastic contribution, whereas the inelastic contri bution becomes dominant above the edge. The theoretical cross section is calculated in an ionic multiplet model, and the spectra are simulat ed by including self-absorption and saturation effects. The calculatio ns account for all the measured features. It is shown that the inelast ic contributions to the spectra are due to 4f spin-flip excitations, b ringing Gd to a lower spin state in the final state.