Simultaneous observation of atomic step and domain wall structure of ultrathin Co films by magnetic force microscopy in ultrahigh vacuum

We have applied magnetic force microscopy in ultrahigh vacuum to study the correlation between the atomic step and magnetic domain wall structure of ultrathin Co films prepared in situ on Au(111) substrates. For the first time we were able to achieve high-resolution images showing simultaneously a clear domain wall contrast and the underlying atomic step structure. Although for in-plane magnetized Co films the domain walls were found to run preferentially in a direction perpendicular to the steps, no such correlation could be observed for out-of-plane magnetized Co films. Received: 3 June 1999 / Accepted: 4 June 1999 / Published online: 29 July 1999