Probing the 3d spin momentum with X-ray emission spectroscopy: The case of molecular-spin transitions

Abstract

We report X-ray emission spectra of Fe-III, Fe-II, and Co-II spin-crossover compounds in their high-spin and low-spin forms. It is shown that all X-ray emission features are sensitive to the spin state. Variations of the K beta and the K alpha emission line shapes, which are in agreement with theory, can be used as quantitative probes of the spin state; it is suggested that with appropriate reference experiments one can extract the spin momentum for a general case. Resonant X-ray emission spectra unveil details of the redistribution of electrons on the 3d levels associated with the spin-state change by revealing features at the X-ray absorption preedge not accessible through standard absorption measurements.