Resonant magnetic x-ray studies of magnetic ordering in dysprosium layers

Resonant magnetic x-ray scattering experiments have been performed to study the magnetism of dysprosium layers. The analysis of the resonant process at the L-3 edge of Dy shows that the spin polarization of both the 4f localized states and the 5d band contributes to the magnetic resonance. The study of the magnetic ordering in a dysprosium/erbium superlattice has shown that the Dy layers order coherently through paramagnetic Er layers, even just below the Neel temperature. It is proposed to investigate the magnetic resonance at the L edges of the nonmagnetic or paramagnetic layers to verify current models for the exchange mechanisms in superlattices.