Dipolar excitations at the L-III x-ray absorption edges of the heavy rare-earth metals

We report measured dipolar asymmetry ratios at the L-III edges of the heavy rare-earth metals. The results are compared with a first-principles calculation and excellent agreement is found. A simple model of the scattering is developed, enabling us to reinterpret the resonant x-ray scattering in these materials and to identify the peaks in the asymmetry ratios with features in the spin and orbital moment densities.