Exploring nanomagnetism with soft X-ray microscopy

Magnetic soft X-ray microscopy images magnetism in nanoscale systems with a spatial resolution down to 15 nm provided by state-of-the-art Fresnel zone plate optics. X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (X-MCD) is used as the element-specific magnetic contrast mechanism similar to photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM), however, with volume sensitivity and the ability to record the images in varying applied magnetic fields which allows study of magnetization reversal processes at fundamental length scales. Utilizing a stroboscopic pump-probe scheme one can investigate fast spin dynamics with a time resolution down to 70 ps which gives access to precessional and relaxation phenomena as well as spin torque driven domain wall dynamics in nanoscale systems. Current developments in zone plate optics aim for a spatial resolution towards 10 nm and at next generation X-ray sources a time resolution in the fs regime can be envisioned.     

Transmission X-ray microscopy using X-ray magnetic circular dichroism

X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (X-MCD) was used as a large, element-specific and quantitative magnetic contrast mechanism in the soft X-ray microscopes at BESSY I (Berlin) and the ALS (Berkeley). The present state and potential of magnetic transmission X-ray microscopy (MTXM) is outlined. The possibility to record images in varying magnetic fields and the high spatial resolution down to 25 nm were used to image out-of-plane magnetized (4 ?Fe / 4 ?Gd)×75 systems. Magnetic domains could be studied in arrays of circular and square dots with lateral dimensions down to 180 nm. Hysteresis loops of individual dots were deduced using the direct proportionality of the X-MCD contrast to the sample magnetization. Images of a 3 nmCr / 50 nmFe / 6 nmCr film demonstrate for the first time that MTXM is also able to observe in-plane magnetized domains. In the future the possible applications of MTXM will be extended with regard to the strength of the external field, the available energy range and the sample conditions by building a dedicated transmission X-ray microscope for magnetic imaging at BESSY II. Received: 22 May 2001 / Accepted: 4 July 2001 / Published online: 5 October 2001     

同步辐射讲座 第三讲 软X射线显微术

对生物样品的研究，软X射线显微术具有独特的优势，例如，它能够对较厚的活性含水的生物样品直接进行显微成像以及元素分布的微区分析等，文章简要论述了软X射线显微术的衬度机制及其优势；列表概括了包括SCXM，TXM，STXM，Gabor全息以及衍射等几种类型的X射线显微术的基本特性；简要综述了合肥国家同步辐射实验室（NSRL）软X射线显微术的研究进展。     

同步辐射软X射线接触显微成像

软Ｘ射线显微术适合于自然状态下生物样品的高分辨率显微成像。软Ｘ射线接触显微术是Ｘ射线显微成像方法中最简单也是迄今唯一到接近理论分辨的方法。本文阐述软Ｘ射线接触显微成像的原理和方法，并报告用合理肥步辐射光源进行软Ｘ射线接触显微成像的一些实验结果。     

激光软X—射线近贴显微技术初步研究

描述了用高功率脉冲激光打靶产生的等离子体作为软X-射线源而进行的近贴显微研究,并得到了分辨率好于1μm的结果.     

Thickness-dependent magnetic domain structures of Co ultra-thin film investigated by scanning transmission X-ray microscopy

Thickness-dependent magnetic domain structure of ultrathin Co wedge films (0.3 nm–1.0 nm) sandwiched by Pt layers was investigated by scanning transmission x-ray microscopy (STXM) employing X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD), utilizing elliptically polarized soft x-rays and electromagnetic fields, with a spatial resolution of 50 nm. The magnetic domain images measured at the Co L₃ edge showed the evolution of the magnetic domain structures from maze-like form to the bubble-like form as the perpendicular magnetic field was applied. The asymmetric domain expansion of a 500 nm-scale bubble domain was also measured when the in-plane and perpendicular external magnetic field were applied simultaneously.     

软X射线激光背光阴影成像技术的空间分辨研究

软X射线激光阴影成像技术是一种诊断高温稠密等离子体临界面附近阴影轮廓的诊断技术,具有测量视场大、空间分辨能力高的特点,具有重要的应用前景.对该技术的空间分辨具体能够达到什么程度则没有进行过系统研究.本文分别从光路几何、衍射极限、成像像差三个方面进行了仔细分析,结果表明目前采用该技术的诊断系统能够达到约2μm的空间分辨.主要受限是光路几何因素,通过增加放大倍数、选择单元尺寸更小的接收元器件等方式,有希望达到优于1μm的空间分辨.     

Imaging of magnetic domains with the X-ray microscope at BESSY using X-ray magnetic circular dichroism

X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism (X-MCD), i.e. the change of the absorption of circular polarized Xrays for reversed sample magnetization amounts at the L_{2, 3}-edges of 3d transition metals up to 50% percent. This can be used to obtain in energy-dispersive X-ray imaging techniques a considerable, element-specific magnetic contrast. On the other hand, with the transmission X-ray microscope (TXM) based on the zone-plate technique spatial resolutions of 30nm can be achieved. In this communication it is shown for the first time that the combination of the TXM with XMCD provides a huge contrast and is therefore a powerful new method to visualize in a quantitative and elementspecific manner magnetic domains. Using soft X-rays with a wavelength of 1:7nm corresponding to the energy of the Fe L₃-edge the variation of the shape and magnetization of domains in a magneto-optical GdFe layer system was studied with a lateral resolution of 60nm.     

生物样品的软X射线显微成象

软X射线显微术最适合于自然状态下生物样品的高分辨率成象。在过去十年中软X射线显微成象技术在世界范围内得到了迅速的发展。本文扼要地讨论了软X射线显微成象的衬度机制和高分辨率X射线光学的基本原理,并且综述介绍各种软X射线显微成象方法以及它的发展和前景。     

Accessing fast magnetization dynamics by XPEEM: Status and perspectives

Being already well established as a versatile technique for high-resolution static magnetic domain imaging, X-ray photoemission electron microscopy (XPEEM) is now also capturing the field of time-resolved magnetic investigations. Using appropriate operation modes at synchrotron radiation sources, a time resolution of 10 ps and less can be achieved in recent magnetodynamics studies, giving access even to phenomena involving precessional processes.     

High-resolution magnetic imaging by local tunneling magnetoresistance

We give an overview over our recent efforts of high-resolution magnetic imaging using scanning tunneling microscopy with a ferromagnetic tip. Magnetic sensitivity is obtained on the basis of local tunneling magnetoresistance between a soft magnetic tip and the sample. The magnetisation of the tip is switched periodically with a small coil, leading to variations of the tunneling current due to the tunneling magnetoresistance effect. These variations are detected with a lock-in amplifier to separate spin-dependent parts from the topographic parts of the tunneling current such that the topography and the magnetic structure of the sample can be recorded simultaneously. Crucial for this method is to avoid mechanical vibrations of the tip, that may also lead to variations in the tunneling current. Exemplary studies of polycrystalline Ni and the closure domain pattern of Co(0001) are presented, showing high contrast at acquisition times as low as 3 ms/pixel and a lateral resolution of the order of 1 nm. Further it is demonstrated that besides topography and magnetisation, also local information about the magnetic susceptibility can be obtained. Received: 28 April 2000 / Accepted: 15 May 2000 / Published online: 7 March 2001     

Imaging of magnetic domains with the X-ray microscope at BESSY using X-ray magnetic circular dichroism

X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism (X-MCD), i.e. the change of the absorption of circular polarized X-rays for reversed sample magnetization amounts at the L_2,3_{2,3}-edges of 3d transition metals up to 50% percent. This can be used to obtain in energy-dispersive X-ray imaging techniques a considerable, element-specific magnetic contrast. On the other hand, with the transmission X-ray microscope (TXM) based on the zone-plate technique spatial resolutions of 30 nm30 nm can be achieved. In this communication it is shown for the first time that the combination of the TXM with X-MCD provides a huge contrast and is therefore powerful new method to visualize in a quantitative and element-specific manner magnetic domains. Using soft X-rays with a wavelength of 1.7 nm1.7 nm corresponding to the energy of the Fe L₃_{3}-edge the variation of the shape and magnetization of domains in a magneto-optical GdFe layer system was studied with a lateral resolution of 60 nm60 nm.     

适用于表面分析的小型低能电子显微镜

介绍并表征了一套单法兰集成的低能电子显微镜. 这套显微镜中采用了10o偏转角的磁分束器,从而有利于将其集成到一个10 in的法兰上. 电子光学系统中的一些修正单元被简化,以使其结构简单,容易操作. 样品被置于地电位,方便各静电透镜浮在高电压上. 通过几个实验展示了这台显微镜在典型的低能电子成像、低能电子衍射和光电子成像模式下的性能. 低能电子成像的空间分辨率为51 nm. 利用飞秒激光做光源,相应的非线性光电子发射过程使得这台设备非常适合进行光学近场现象的观察,并获得110 nm的光电子成像空间分辨率.     

Depth-resolved magnetization distribution in ultra thin films by soft X-ray resonant magnetic reflectivity

The analysis of complex magnetic profiles throughout an ultrathin magnetic films by soft X-ray resonant magnetic reflectivity is discussed. Subnanometer resolution can be achieved allowing the separation of interface and inner layer magnetic contributions as well as the determination of antiferromagnetic and non-collinear spin structures. Reflectivity measurements are carried out up to large scattering angles allowing the determination of the depth-resolved profiles of the out-of-plane magnetic component.     

Cobalt antidot arrays on membranes: Fabrication and investigation with transmission X-ray microscopy

We have developed a method to fabricate ferromagnetic antidot arrays on silicon nitride membrane substrates for electron or soft X-ray microscopy with antidot periods ranging from 2 μm down to 200 nm. Observations of cobalt antidot arrays with magnetic soft X-ray microscopy show that for large periods, flux closure states occur between the antidots in the as-grown state and on application of a magnetic field, domain chains are created which show a spin configuration at the chain ends comprising four 90° walls. Pinning of the domain chain ends plays an important role in the magnetization reversal, determining the length of the chains and resulting in preservation of the domain chain configuration on reducing of the applied magnetic field to zero.     

X-ray diffraction microscopy of magnetic structures

We report the first proof-of-principle experiment of iterative phase retrieval from magnetic x-ray diffraction. By using the resonant x-ray excitation process and coherent x-ray scattering, we show that linearly polarized soft x rays can be used to image both the amplitude and the phase of magnetic domain structures. We recovered the magnetic structure of an amorphous terbium-cobalt thin film with a spatial resolution of about 75 nm at the Co L3 edge at 778 eV. In comparison with soft x-ray microscopy images recorded with Fresnel zone plate optics at better than 25 nm spatial resolution, we find qualitative agreement in the observed magnetic structure.     

Microscopic observation of lateral diffusion at Si-SiO2 interface by photoelectron emission microscopy using synchrotron radiation

The lateral surface diffusion at Si-SiO₂ interface has been observed at nanometer scale using photoelectron emission microscopy (PEEM) combined with synchrotron soft X-ray excitation. The samples investigated were Si-SiO_x micro-patterns prepared by O₂⁺ ion implantation in Si (0 0 1) wafer using a mask. The lateral spacial resolution of the PEEM system was about 41 nm. The brightness of each spot in the PEEM images changed depending on the photon energy around the Si K-edge, in proportion to the X-ray absorption intensity of the corresponding valence states. It was found that the lateral diffusion occurs by 400-450 °C lower temperature than that reported for the longitudinal diffusion at the Si-SiO₂ interface. It was also found that no intermediate valence states such as SiO (Si²⁺) exist at the Si-SiO₂ interface during the diffusion. The observed differences between lateral and longitudinal diffusion are interpreted by the sublimated property of silicon monoxide (SiO).     

Layer resolved magnetization reversal study in SmCo5/Fe nanocomposite bilayers

A hard/soft SmCo5/Fe nanocomposite magnetic bilayer system is fabricated on x-ray transparent 100-200 nm thin Si3N4 films by magnetron sputtering.The microscopic magnetic domain pattern and its behaviours during magnetization reversal in the hard and the soft magnetic phases are studied separately by element specific magnetic soft x-ray microscopy at a spatial resolution of better than 25 nm.We observe that the domain patterns for the soft and hard phases show coherent behaviours in varying magnetic fields.We derive local M(H) curves from the images of Fe and SmCo5 separately and find the switches for hard and soft phases to be the same.