Magnetic circularly polarized X-ray excited optical luminescence (MCP-XEOL)

Abstract

We present recent experimental results of magnetically induced circular polarization of X-ray excited optical luminescence of paramagnetic rare-earth ions. X-ray excitation offers not only the valuable advantage of a high quantum yield but also eliminates the contamination of the luminescence signal with scattered excitation light. These combined advantages allowed us to record MCP-XEOL spectra from a thin layer of powdered samples whereas all previous MCPL experiments were inherently restricted to single crystalline samples or homogeneous liquid solutions.