Resonant magnetic scattering with soft x-ray pulses from a free-electron laser operating at 1.59 nm

We report on a resonant magnetic scattering experiment using soft x-ray pulses generated from a free-electron laser (FEL). The free-electron laser was operated at a fundamental wavelength of 7. 97 nm and radiation at the fifth harmonic originating from self-amplified stimulated emission at 1. 59 nm with an average energy of 4 nJ per pulse was detected. We demonstrate the feasibility of resonant magnetic scattering at FEL sources by using a Co/Pd multilayer as prototype sample that was illuminated with 20-fs-long soft x-ray pulses tuned to the Co L₃ absorption edge at 778. 1 eV (1. 59 nm).