Magnetic transmission X-ray microscopy: imaging magnetic domains via the X-ray magnetic circular dichroism

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 286; no. 1; pp. 20 - 25
• Main Authors: Eimüller, T, Fischer, P, Schütz, G, Guttmann, P, Schmahl, G, Pruegl, K, Bayreuther, G
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 05.05.1999; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Domain effects, magnetization curves, and hysteresis; Domain wall pinning; Domain walls and domain structure; Exact sciences and technology; Magnetic circular dichroism (X-MCD); Magnetic domains; Magnetic properties and materials; Magnetic transmission X-ray microscopy (M-TXM); Magnetization reversal; Metals. Metallurgy; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Physics; X-ray absorption and absorption edges; X-ray absorption spectra; Magnetization reversal; Magnetic circular dichroism (X-MCD); Domain wall pinning; Magnetic transmission X-ray microscopy (M-TXM); Magnetic domains; X-ray microscopy; Circular polarization; Gadolinium base alloys; Domain walls; Magnetic field effects; Ferromagnetic materials; Iron alloys; X-ray spectra; Experimental study; Binary alloys; Platinum base alloys; Magnetic circular dichroism; Magnetic structure; Sum rules; Absorption spectra; Wall pinning; Cobalt alloys; Transition element alloys
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/S0925-8388(98)00974-8

X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (X-MCD), i.e. the dependence of the absorption of circularly polarized X-rays on the magnetization of a ferromagnetic sample used as a contrast mechanism in combination with a high resolution transmission X-ray microscope (TXM) enables a quantitative and element-specific imaging of magnetic structures with a lateral resolution down to about 30 nm. Quantitative information on the local magnetization can be obtained, in particular a separation between spin and orbital moments is possible by applying magneto-optical sum-rules. Images in varying external magnetic fields can be recorded and allow to study magnetization reversal processes within a complete magnetization cycle. Multilayered systems of FeGd and PtCo have been studied. Results on the mechanism of pinning of domain walls as, e.g. the density of pinning centers are presented.