X-ray linear dichroism (XLD) and magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) studies on the honeycomb lattice CoCl2 using inverse-partial fluorescence yield method

Layered transition metal halides are an interesting class of compounds. They are expected to display fascinating physical properties such as half metallic behavior and Kitaev quantum spin liquid ground state. It has been theoretically predicted recently that, in compounds containing Co2+ (d7) ions in high-spin configuration, it is possible to realize the Kitaev model. We would like to perform X-ray linear dichroism (XLD) and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) on CoCl2 to experimentally determine the ground state quantum numbers of this compound. Since CoCl2 is an insulator, we plan to use the inverse partial fluorescence yield (iPFY) method of Cl L-edge (200-300 eV) to measure the LD and XMCD of Co2+. Using the XAS branching ratio and sum rule analysis, we will determine the ground state quantum numbers and magnetic anisotropy in this compound.