XMCD on Fe-based nanoparticles: Two examples of theory and experiment complementing one another

Abstract

Two examples of recent research are presented that emphasise the importance of combining experimental approaches in x-ray absorption spectroscopy and its associated magnetic circular dichroism with density functional theory to gain a more fundamental understanding. In particular we show how to tailor the magnetic properties of FePt nanoparticles by choosing an appropriate capping material and how the frequently neglected and unpleasant intra-atomic dipole term can be used to monitor a phase transition in magnetite nanoparticles that cannot be revealed with commonly used methods for the corresponding bulk material