Probing the localization of magnetic dichroism by atomic-size astigmatic and vortex electron beams

We report localization of a magnetic dichroic signal on atomic columns in electron magnetic circular dichroism (EMCD), probed by beam distorted by four-fold astigmatism and electron vortex beam. With astigmatic probe, magnetic signal to noise ratio can be enhanced by blocking the intensity from the central part of probe. However, the simulations show that for atomic resolution magnetic measurements, vortex beam is a more effective probe, with much higher magnetic signal to noise ratio. For all considered beam shapes, the optimal SNR constrains the signal detection at low collection angles of approximately 6-8 mrad. Irrespective of the material thickness, the magnetic signal remains strongly localized within the probed atomic column with vortex beam, whereas for astigmatic probes, the magnetic signal originates mostly from the nearest neighbor atomic columns. Due to excellent signal localization at probing individual atomic columns, vortex beams are predicted to be a strong candidate for studying the crystal site specific magnetic properties, magnetic properties at interfaces, or magnetism arising from individual atomic impurities.