Sub-nanosecond time-resolved near-field scanning magneto-optical microscope

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Advanced magnetic microscopy is crucial for understanding nanoscale magnetic phenomena.
• Existing techniques often face limitations in simultaneously achieving high temporal and spatial resolution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate a novel time-resolved near-field scanning magneto-optical microscope.
• To achieve unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution for magnetic imaging.

Main Methods:

• Integration of near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) with time-resolved Kerr microscopy (TRKM).
• Utilizing magneto-optical contrast for magnetic signal detection.
• Characterization of magnetic field pulse-induced dynamics in CoFeB disks.

Main Results:

• Achieved a temporal resolution of approximately 50 picoseconds (ps).
• Achieved a spatial resolution of less than 100 nanometers (nm).
• Successfully imaged gyrotropic vortex core dynamics in CoFeB disks at ~240 MHz.

Conclusions:

• The developed microscope offers a powerful new capability for spatiotemporal magnetic imaging.
• Demonstrated the ability to visualize ultrafast magnetic dynamics at the nanoscale.
• Opens new avenues for research in magnetism and spintronics.