Complete Assignment of Spin Domains in Antiferromagnetic NiO(100) by Photoemission Electron Microscopy and Cluster Model Calculation

Spin domains in bulk NiO have been observed by photoemission electron microscopy combined with X-ray magnetic linear dichroism (XMLD) using s- and p-polarized light. The azimuthal angle dependence of domain contrast at Ni L-2-edge XMLD has been analyzed with a NiO6 cluster model taking into account crystal symmetry and multiplet splitting. The complete assignment of spin domains has been achieved. The results evoke the reconsideration of the domain assignment and XMLD studies based on the existing atomic multiplet theory.