Testing the possibility of magnetic domain imaging based on circular & linear dichroism using photoemission electron microscopy
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
In recent years, an increasing number of memory and spintronic devices have been developed exploiting the combination of ferromagnetic (FM) and anti-ferromagnetic (aFM) materials. Consequently, magnetic imaging based on continuous-wave (CW) ultraviolet (UV) (λ = 266nm and longer wavelength) photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM) is gaining considerable attention due to the possibility of determining magnetizations for FM and aFM materials with 10 nm lateral resolution at video rate image acquisition. This PEEM-based approach exploits the polarization-dependent photoemission yield, which is subject to the polarization vector and the FM or aFM magnetization direction. Because of this unique attribute, magnetic imaging using PEEM when coupled to a laser with multiple illumination geometries allows for characterizing in-plane and out-of-plane magnetizations. This concept, however, has not been tested using a deep-UV laser (λ = 213nm), which has a much broader application space than the longer wavelength excitation used in previous reports. The purpose of this project in FY17 was to show the proof-of-concept of magnetic circular dichroism (MCD)-PEEM imaging using a λ = 210nm pulsed laser. Our results demonstrated the feasibility of in-plane and out-of-plane magnetic imaging with the limitations in the lateral resolution, data acquisition time, and signal-to-noise ratio anticipated for using a pulsed laser of moderate power. The project goal for FY18 is to construct the automated polarization-controlled data acquisition, and to establish the new lab facility in anticipation of acquiring a state-of-the-art high-power 213nm CW laser, planned to be installed in FY19. We successfully demonstrate the former by measuring dielectric stacks with polarization-dependent photoemission yield. Extrapolating from our result, we conclude that the capability of PEEM-based magnetic imaging using a CW deep UV laser could be a potential game-changer for scientific investigations and technological developments of magnetic materials and spintronic devices. In addition, polarization controlled PEEM imaging shows the potential for ellipsometry imaging of embedded nanomaterials exploiting their subtle differences in optical constants with respect to their surrounding dielectrics.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000; NA0003525
- OSTI ID:
- 1760415
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-2018-13219R; SNL-LDRD-206536; 670228; TRN: US2214957
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Phase transitions and magnetic domain coexistence in Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3 thin films
Room temperature ferroelectric and magnetic investigations and detailed phase analysis of Aurivillius phase Bi{sub 5}Ti{sub 3}Fe{sub 0.7}Co{sub 0.3}O{sub 15} thin films