Schematic Sketch (IMAGE) Forschungsverbund Berlin Caption Schematic sketch of the scattering experiment with two competing processes. The soft x-ray beam (blue arrow, from left) hits the magnetic sample (circular area) where it scatters from the microscopic, labyrinth-like magnetization pattern. In this process, an x-ray photon is first absorbed by a Cobalt 3p core electron (a). The resulting excited state can then relax spontaneously (b), emitting a photon in a new direction (purple arrow). This scattered light is recorded as the signal of interest in experiments. However, if another x-ray photon encounters an already excited state, stimulated emission occurs (c). Here, two identical photons are emitted in the direction of the incident beam (blue arrow towards right). This light carries only little information on the sample magnetization and is usually blocked for practical reasons. Credit MBI Berlin Usage Restrictions The image may only be used with appropriate caption and credit. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.