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Magnetic domain imaging with a scanning near-field optical microscope using a modified Sagnac interferometer
A Bauer1, B L Petersen, T Crecelius
1Institut für Experimentalphysik, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany. bauer@physik.fu-berlin.de
Journal of Microscopy
|June 5, 2001
Summary
This study combines a scanning near-field optical microscope with a Sagnac interferometer for advanced magnetic-domain imaging. This novel approach enables clear visualization of magnetic bits on uneven surfaces, overcoming topographical limitations.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
- Magnetism
Background:
- Magnetic-domain imaging is crucial for understanding magnetic materials.
- Conventional methods are often limited by surface topography.
- Magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) is a key phenomenon for magnetic characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel method for magnetic-domain imaging.
- To overcome limitations of surface topography in magnetic imaging.
- To enable imaging of magnetic bits on complex surfaces.
Main Methods:
- Combination of scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) with a modified Sagnac interferometer.
- Utilizing the Sagnac interferometer for magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) detection.
- Employing reflection mode for imaging.
Main Results:
- Successfully imaged magnetic domains on surfaces with pronounced topographical features.
- Demonstrated the inherent insensitivity of the Sagnac interferometer to topographical polarization changes.
- Achieved clear magnetic-domain imaging on magneto-optical disc tracks.
Conclusions:
- The combined SNOM-Sagnac interferometer system offers a robust solution for magnetic-domain imaging.
- This technique significantly expands the applicability of MOKE-based imaging to non-flat samples.
- Enables high-resolution magnetic bit visualization on structured media.