4f and 5d magnetism in samarium

We report on resonant magnetic X-ray scattering studies of a samarium epita xial film at the samarium L-3 edge. We observe one quadrupolar resonance be low the edge, reflecting the polarization of the 4f electrons, and two dipo lar resonances above the edge, related to the polarization of the 5d band. We demonstrate, by following the thermal evolution of resonant magnetic int ensities of both types, that the polarization of the 4f and 5d electrons pr esent exactly the same temperature dependence, even very close to the order ing temperature, in agreement with the RKKY model for long-range magnetic o rder in rare earths. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.