Imaging Magnetic Domain Structures with Soft X-Ray Microscopy |
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Authors: | P Fischer T Eimüller G Schütz G Denbeaux |
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Institution: | (1) Max-Planck-Institute for Metals Research, Heisenbergstrasse 1, D70569 Stuttgart, Germany;(2) Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Center for X-ray Optics, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California, 94720 |
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Abstract: | The current achievements in magnetic transmission soft X-ray microscopy will be reviewed. The magnetic contrast is given by X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (X-MCD), i.e., the dependence of the absorption coefficient of circularly polarized X rays on the projection of the magnetization in a ferromagnetic system onto the photon propagation direction. X-MCD contrast can reach, e.g., at L2,3 edges in transition metals, large values up to 50%. Combined with a soft X-ray microscope where Fresnel zone plates acting as optical elements provide a lateral resolution down at 25 nm, it allows for imaging magnetic microstructures. Specific features of this photon-based technique are the recording of images in varying external magnetic fields, an inherent chemical specificity, a high sensitivity to thin magnetic layers, due to the large contrast, and the possibility to distinguish between in-plane and out-of plane contributions. In this report, recent results obtained with the XM-1 microscope at the ALS (Berkeley/CA) demonstrate the broad applicability of this novel experimental technique to both fundamental and technological relevant issues in nanomagnetism. The future potential will be briefly outlined. |
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Keywords: | X-ray magnetic circular dichroism soft X-ray microscopy magnetic domain structure circular polarized synchrotron radiation Fresnel zone plates |
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