Probing local magnetic disorder by investigating spin dependent photoelectron scattering

We present here systematic temperature dependent magnetic extended x-ray absorption spectroscopy (MEXAFS) measurements. This fine structure can be explained by the spin dependent scattering of the photoelectron and yields information about the local magnetic surroundings of the absorbing atom. We find a strong temperature dependence at temperatures far below the Curie temperature. This shows that the intensity of the MEXAFS signal is not only determined by the value of the magnetic moment but also by the relative vibrations of the backscattering atom to the absorbing atom.