Soft x-ray magnetic circular dichroism: a probe for studying paramagnetic bioinorganic systems

Soft x-ray magnetic circular dichroism was used to study a paramagnetic bioinogranic system. We measured the Fe L edges of Pyrococcus furiosus rubredoxin, using circularly polarized synchrotron radiation, a split-coil super-conducting magnet, low sample temperatures, and fluorescence detection. The observed dichroism effect is strong (30%) and in general agreement with the calculation. The method is element- and oxidation state-specific, and the data can be interpreted by established theoretical procedures. Soft x-ray magnetic circular dichroism demonstrates enormous potential as a probe for studying paramagnetic systems in biology, chemistry, and material science.