Magnetostriction measurement using EXAFS

In this paper, we report the first measurements of magnetostrictive strain using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (EXAFS). When a magnetic field is applied to a magnetostrictive material, a strain is induced in the material indicating that the distance between atoms has changed. Therefore, an EXAFS spectrum will also change upon the application of a magnetic field, to reflect the change in atomic positions. If a magnetic field is applied to a sample in two orthogonal directions, the EXAFS signal will be modulated by the alternating stretching and compressing of the bonds in the direction of measurement. If the zero field signal is subtracted from the signals with the magnet in the two orthogonal directions and a characteristic eye pattern of anti-phase oscillations above the edge and no single below the edge occurs, then this indicates that a magnetostrictive change in bond lengths has been measured.