Constraints on 5 f -electron magnetism in Ga-stabilized $δ$-Pu from x-ray magnetic circular dichroism
Density-functional theory models of δ-Pu accurately predict crystal structure, phonon density of states, and unit cell volumes but require magnetic degrees of freedom which have never been experimentally verified. Some models invoke an on-site cancellation of spin and orbital moments, engendering a near-zero bulk magnetization, undetectable by most probes. Here, we employ x-ray magnetic circular dichroism at the Pu M 4,5 edges to directly probe spin and orbital moments using the magneto-optical sum rules. The data show no dichroism within experimental error, constraining polarized moments at 6 T and 3 K to μ L,S <0.1μ B . Finally, these experiments point to the absence of even unconventional spin-orbit compensated order in δ-Pu.