Probing Magnetism using the Synchrotron Radiation based X-ray Techniques

Royal Holloway University of London

The foundational understanding of magnetism has been greatly enhanced through the application of the synchrotron radiation generated x-rays. While x-ray diffraction has been around for more than a centenary, magnetic resonant absorption was only established three decades ago. Spectroscopic information is obtained by monitoring the reaction of core-level electrons to bombardment by high-intensity x-rays. This can be used to quantitively determine atomic spin and orbital moments. In this talk, I will explain how the x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) technique has enabled our research into hybrid spintronic systems from magnetic heterostructures, magnetic oxides, to the emerging magnetic semiconductors such as magnetic topological insulators and two-dimensional magnets.