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Updated: Jan 7, 2026
07:42
Optimizing Magnetic Force Microscopy Resolution and Sensitivity to Visualize Nanoscale Magnetic Domains
Published on: July 20, 2022
3.2K
Widefield in situ NV-MOKE microscopy for magnetometry
Jingle Chen1,2, Tianzhe Zhou1,3,4, Kin On Ho1
1Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, ENS Paris-Saclay, CentraleSupelec, LUMIN, F-91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|December 31, 2025
Summary
We developed a novel magnetic imaging setup for thin films. It combines Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect and Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) probing for high-resolution domain imaging and quantitative magnetization measurement.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Magnetic thin films are crucial for data storage and spintronic devices.
- Accurate characterization of magnetic domains and magnetization is essential for device performance.
- Existing techniques often lack combined high resolution and quantitative magnetic moment measurement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a versatile magnetic imaging setup for thin films.
- To integrate Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect (MOKE) and Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) probing.
- To enable both qualitative domain visualization and quantitative magnetization analysis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect (MOKE) for rapid magnetic domain visualization.
- Employed Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) probing via an NV-doped diamond plate for high-resolution imaging.
- Analyzed NV optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) spectra to quantify stray magnetic fields.
Main Results:
- Achieved high-resolution imaging of magnetic domains using NV probing.
- Successfully measured total magnetic moments on the order of 10^-15 A m^2.
- Demonstrated the complementary nature of MOKE and NV probing for comprehensive magnetic characterization.
Conclusions:
- The presented setup offers a powerful tool for studying magnetic thin films.
- The combined MOKE and NV probing approach provides detailed insights into magnetic properties.
- This technique advances the characterization capabilities for magnetic materials and devices.
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