Probing the 4p electron-spin polarization in NiO -: art. no. 134430

K-edge resonant x-ray magnetic scattering experiments have been performed on antiferromagnetic NiO, The observation of two resonances at the K edge allows the construction of models to compare the electronic properties of NiO and the observed resonant magnetic x-ray scattering. From the polarization analysis of the scattered beam, a quadrupolar transition (1s - 3d) and a dipolar transition (1s - 4p) are identified. While the quadrupolar transition can be modeled using an atomic picture for the 3d electrons, the dipolar transition is associated to a broadband structure of p electrons and its energy profile is compared to electronic band-structure calculations.