Local Probe for Spin-Orbit Interaction

Abstract
The branching ratio of core-valence transitions in x-ray absorption spectroscopy is linearly related to the expectation value of the spin-orbit operator in the valence states. This offers a direct method to determine the spin-orbit interaction in the local electronic structure of metal compounds and alloys. The method is complementary to susceptibility and paramagnetic resonance measurements because it measures a different operator and is element specific.