Soft x-ray circular polarizer using magnetic circular dichroism at the Fe L{sub 3} line

Journal Article · Mon Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.119932· OSTI ID:542123

Kortright, J B ^[1]; Kim, S; Warwick, T; Smith, N V ^[2]

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1. Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720 (United States)
2. Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720 (United States)

Linearly polarized soft x-rays are converted to elliptical polarization at the Fe L{sub 3} line (707 eV) using magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) on transmission through thin Fe films. A linear polarizer measured the transmitted polarization at different incidence angles to vary as expected from a model for in-plane magnetization, and also to exhibit a weak MCD effect at normal incidence interpreted to originate from perpendicular interface anisotropy. An MCD signal from a downstream Fe film was produced by switching the helicity of x-rays transmitted through an upstream circular polarizer. Practical considerations for optimizing the production of circular polarization are discussed, and synchrotron radiation applications using these circular polarizing filters are suggested.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 542123
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Journal Name: Applied Physics Letters Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 71; ISSN APPLAB; ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

44 INSTRUMENTATION
INCLUDING NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE DETECTORS
66 PHYSICS
FERROMAGNETIC MATERIALS
FILTERS
IRON
MAGNETIC CIRCULAR DICHROISM
POLARIZATION
SOFT X RADIATION
SYNCHROTRON RADIATION
THIN FILMS