Soft X-ray diffraction study of magnetic ordering in holmium

We have conducted the first single-crystal resonant soft x-ray diffraction study of the magnetic order in holmium at the Ho M-V edge. Both the (0, 0, tau) and (0, 0, tau) satellite reflections can be accessed at the MV edge. Energy scans through these reflections display very different line shapes. The behaviour of the integrated intensity, and wavevector modulation was similar to that observed in earlier neutron and resonant x-ray diffraction studies at the L edges, which showed that valid qualitative results can be obtained using the soft x-ray diffraction technique. The,sample absorption at the MV edge is. considerable, reducing the penetration depth to approximately 100 angstrom.