4f/5d hybridization in the heavy rare earth elements Er and Tm

We present experimental data and first-principles calculations of the x-ray resonant magnetic scattering (XRMS) line shapes of Er and Tm metals. Band structure calculations are presented that illustrate the existence of 4f/5d hybridization of unoccupied electron levels. This leads to spin and orbital features in the XRMS spectra that are not representative of the 5d occupied moments. General trends through the heavy rare earth series are discussed with reference to previous work. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.87.165111