Resonant diffraction of synchrotron radiation by a nuclear multilayer

Nuclear resonance reflectivity from a [57Fe/Cr]30 multilayer with the Synchrotron Mössbauer Source

Mössbauer reflectivity spectra and nuclear resonance reflectivity (NRR) curves have been measured using the Synchrotron Mössbauer Source (SMS) for a [⁵⁷Fe/Cr]₃₀ periodic multilayer, characterized by the antiferromagnetic interlayer coupling between adjacent ⁵⁷Fe layers. Specific features of the Mössbauer reflectivity spectra measured with π-polarized radiation of the SMS near the critical angle and at the `magnetic' maximum on the NRR curve are analyzed. The variation of the ratio of lines in the Mössbauer reflectivity spectra and the change of the intensity of the `magnetic' maximum under an applied external field has been used to reveal the transformation of the magnetic alignment in the investigated multilayer.

⁵⁷Fe polarization-dependent synchrotron Mössbauer spectroscopy using a diamond phase plate and an iron borate nuclear Bragg monochromator

Energy-domain (57)Fe polarization-dependent synchrotron radiation Mössbauer spectroscopy was developed by using a diamond X-ray phase plate and an iron borate nuclear Bragg monochromator. The former controls the polarization of the incident synchrotron radiation X-rays and the latter filters the (57)Fe-Mössbauer radiation with a narrow bandwidth of ∼3.4 Γ0 (Γ0 ≃ 4.7 neV: natural linewidth of the (57)Fe nucleus) from the broadband synchrotron radiation. The developed nuclear diffraction optics allowed (57)Fe-Mössbauer studies to be performed with various polarization states, i.e. linear polarization, circular polarization and non-polarization. In this paper, the spectrometer system, beam characterization, performance-test experiments and a grazing-incidence Mössbauer measurement of an isotope-enriched ((57)Fe: 95%) iron thin film are described.

Stroboscopic detection of nuclear resonance in an arbitrary scattering channel

The theory of heterodyne/stroboscopic detection of nuclear resonance scattering is developed, starting from the total scattering matrix as a product of the matrix of the reference sample and the sample under study. This general approach holds for all dynamical scattering channels. In the forward channel, which has been discussed in detail in the literature, the electronic scattering manifests itself only in an energy-independent diminution of the scattered intensity. In all other channels, complex resonance line shapes of the heterodyne/stroboscopic spectra are encountered, as a result of the interference of electronic and nuclear scattering. The grazing-incidence case will be evaluated and described in detail. Experimental data of classical X-ray reflectivity and their stroboscopically detected resonant counterpart spectra on the [(nat)Fe/(57)Fe]10 isotope periodic multilayer and antiferromagnetic [(57)Fe/Cr]20 superlattice are fitted simultaneously.

Swift heavy ions for controlled modification of soft magnetic properties of Fe₀.₈₅N₀.₁₅ thin film

It is shown that the soft magnetic properties of amorphous Fe₀.₈₅N₀.₁₅ film can be modified in a controlled manner by irradiation with 120 MeV Ag ions. Irradiation causes relaxation of short range as well as long range stresses, resulting in an improvement in the soft magnetic properties. Nuclear resonance reflectivity has been used to measure the diffusion length of Fe atoms as a function of irradiation fluence. It is found that the atomic motion associated with irradiation is not expected to modify significantly the interfaces with substrate or other layers.

Observation of the 22.5-keV resonance in (149)Sm by the nuclear lighthouse effect

We have observed coherent nuclear resonant scattering of synchrotron radiation at the 22.5-keV resonance of (149)Sm. High-speed rotational sample motion led to an angular deflection of the resonantly scattered radiation off the nonresonant primary beam. This allowed us to determine the resonance energy of the first excited nuclear level of (149)Sm to be 22496(4) eV. Because of the angular deflection of the resonant photons, time spectra of coherent nuclear resonant scattering can be recorded as a function of a spatial coordinate. Time resolutions of a few 10 ps can be expected, which are beyond the limits of existing x-ray detection schemes.