Magnetic Circular Dichroism of Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, and Ho in the 4d-4f Excitation Region

Abstract

The magnetic circular dichroisms (MCD) in the photoabsorptions by Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, and Ho thin films were measured in the 4d-4f excitation region. The extended MCD signals were observed except for Eu and Gd both in the lower and the higher photon energy regions with the opposite signs, indicating that the interference between the 4d-4f excitation and the 4f-ε l excitation is more dominant than the 4f-ε l potential barrier effect in heavy rare earths. The observed MCD data are in fair agreement with theoretical calculations except the intensity of the extended MCD and disappearance of some components of the multiplets.