Intercalated rare-earth metals under graphene on SiC

•Graphene on single crystal SiC is prepared prior to intercalation.•Intercalations of RE elements (Dy, Gd, Eu) under graphene are described.•STM images show the metals form randomly distributed nano-clusters under graphene.•XMCD at the M4 and M5 energy levels of the intercalated elements are compared to their oxides.•Analysis of XMCD as a function of applied magnetic field temperature indicate the intercalated elements are paramagnetic.