New mode of domain imaging: Second harmonic generation microscopy (abstract)

Journal Article · Tue Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1997 · Journal of Applied Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.364491· OSTI ID:554268

Kirilyuk, V; Kirilyuk, A; Rasing, T ^[1]

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1. Research Institute for Materials, University of Nijmegen, 6525 ED Nijmegen (The Netherlands)

Magnetization induced second harmonic generation (MSHG) is a novel magneto-optical technique that has an enhanced surface/interface sensitivity and demonstrates very large magneto-optical effects. It is described by a generalized nonlinear optical tensor {chi}{sup (2)} which has different transformation properties as compared to the linear tensor {chi}{sup (1)}. As a consequence, in the same geometry MSHG may be sensitive to other magnetization components than linear magneto-optics. Therefore linear and nonlinear magneto-optics should work best in a combination. Here we report the development of a magneto-optical microscope that is sensitive simultaneously to the linear (Faraday or Kerr) and nonlinear (MSHG) magneto-optical effects. MSHG, on the one hand, is able to visualize some exotic domain structures, e.g., 180{degree} domains in antiferromagnetics and ferroelectrics. On the other hand, because of its interface sensitivity it might help to visualize the magnetic structure at the interface between two different magnetic materials (including metals). Last but not least, the microscope evidently has an enhanced resolution due to the frequency doubling of detected light. First, we apply the microscope to the study of domains in magnetic garnet films, where a considerable difference between Faraday and MSHG images in the {ital same} configuration is demonstrated. A complicated noncollinear domain structure is straightforwardly derived from the MSHG images. Next, we consider the application of our technique to the magnetic metal surfaces and thin films (in reflection). The utilization of the microscope to correlate the surface/interface morphology with its magnetic properties is discussed. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}

• OSTI ID: 554268
• Report Number(s): CONF-961141--
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 81; ISSN JAPIAU; ISSN 0021-8979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

44 INSTRUMENTATION
INCLUDING NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE DETECTORS
ANTIFERROMAGNETISM
DOMAIN STRUCTURE
FARADAY EFFECT
GARNETS
HARMONIC GENERATION
INTERFACES
MAGNETIZATION
MAGNETO-OPTICAL EFFECTS
MICROSCOPY
NONLINEAR OPTICS
SURFACES