Observation of ordered orbital of YTIO3 by the X-ray magnetic diffraction experiments

X-ray magnetic diffraction (XMD) experiments of ferromagnetic YTiO3 were performed. The orbital-magnetic form factor (L) and the spin-magnetic form factor (S) were individually measured by utilizing the LS separation method of the XMD. The experiments consisted of two parts. The first was the measurement of the orbital-magnetic form factor to examine whether the orbital moment of this compound was quenched or not. The second was the measurement of the spin-magnetic form factor to examine whether the ordered orbital of Ti-3d electrons was observed by the XMD. The result of the first experiment suggested quenching of the orbital moment. In the second experiment, the spin-magnetic form factor was observed for the total 22 reciprocal-lattice points. Calculated spin-magnetic form factor with a model wave function of the ordered orbital reproduced the observed one well. This result shows that the ordered orbital of Ti-3d electrons can be observed by the XMD. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.