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Updated: Jun 24, 2025

Optimizing Magnetic Force Microscopy Resolution and Sensitivity to Visualize Nanoscale Magnetic Domains
Published on: July 20, 2022
Out-of-focus spatial map imaging of magnetically deflected sodium ammonia clusters
D P Borgeaud Dit Avocat1, H Yang1, A Nitsche1
1Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland. ruth.signorell@phys.chem.ethz.ch.
Abstract:
This paper introduces out-of-focus spatial map imaging (SMI) as a detection method for magnetic deflection of molecular/cluster beams, using Na(NH3) to illustrate its capabilities. This method enables imaging of the complete spatial distribution, simplifying measurements and allowing for cluster-size-resolved analysis by shifting away from traditional in-focus SMI conditions. Incorporating out-of-focus SMI with TOF-MS and velocity map imaging into a single setup allows for direct assessment of clusters' magnetic moments without needing to pre-select velocities. Key findings include a slower relaxation for Na(NH3)4 compared to Na(NH3)3 and Na(NH3)5, unexpectedly high deflection for larger clusters up to Na(NH3)9, hinting at changes in cluster dynamics as the first solvation shell closes. The study also covers the first measurements of Na2(NH3)1 and Na3(NH3), showing distinct deflection behaviors and underscoring the improved capabilities of the new detection method.
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