Recent progress of the X-ray magnetic circular dichroism technique for element-specific magnetic analysis

Recent trend of the X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) spectroscopy-based technique and the related scientific topics at SPring-8 are reviewed. At the third-generation synchrotron radiation facility, the key developments in the XMCD technique include i) significant improvements in the accuracy and sensitivity of XMCD measurements with a quick helicity switching of circularly polarized X-rays, ii) introduction of extreme conditions (strong pulsed magnetic field and high pressures), and iii) new experimental setup using the high-brilliance X-ray source (microfocusing, reflection geometry, and high-pressure cells). These achievements have effectively extended the capability of the XMCD technique, a unique magnetic probe with an element-specificity, providing fundamental scientific insights in spintronics and magnetic recording devices, magnetic nanoparticles, and magnetism under high-magnetic field and high pressures.