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Title: Quantitative magnetic imaging at the nanometer scale by ballistic electron magnetic microscopy

Abstract

We demonstrate quantitative ballistic electron magnetic microscopy (BEMM) imaging of simple model Fe(001) nanostructures. We use in situ nanostencil shadow mask resistless patterning combined with molecular beam epitaxy deposition to prepare under ultra-high vacuum conditions nanostructured epitaxial Fe/Au/Fe/GaAs(001) spin-valves. In this epitaxial system, the magnetization of the bottom Fe/GaAs(001) electrode is parallel to the [110] direction, defining accurately the analysis direction for the BEMM experiments. The large hot-electron magnetoresistance of the Fe/Au/Fe/GaAs(001) epitaxial spin-valve allows us to image various stable magnetic configurations on the as-grown Fe(001) microstructures with a high sensitivity, even for small misalignments of both magnetic electrodes. The angular dependence of the hot-electron magnetocurrent is used to convert magnetization maps calculated by micromagnetic simulations into simulated BEMM images. The calculated BEMM images and magnetization rotation profiles show quantitative agreement with experiments and allow us to investigate the magnetic phase diagram of these model Fe(001) microstructures. Finally, magnetic domain reversals are observed under high current density pulses. This opens the way for further BEMM investigations of current-induced magnetization dynamics.

Authors:
; ; ; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. Departement Materiaux et Nanosciences, Institut de Physique de Rennes, UMR 6251, CNRS-Universite de Rennes 1, Campus de Beaulieu, Bat 11E, 35042 Rennes cedex (France)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
22163056
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Journal of Applied Physics
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 113; Journal Issue: 23; Other Information: (c) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 0021-8979
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS; CARRIERS; CURRENT DENSITY; DEPOSITION; GALLIUM ARSENIDES; GOLD; IMAGES; IRON; LAYERS; MAGNETIZATION; MAGNETORESISTANCE; MICROSCOPY; MICROSTRUCTURE; MOLECULAR BEAM EPITAXY; NANOSTRUCTURES; PHASE DIAGRAMS; PULSES; SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS; SENSITIVITY; SIMULATION; SPIN

Citation Formats

Herve, M., Tricot, S., Guezo, S., Delhaye, G., Lepine, B., Schieffer, P., and Turban, P. Quantitative magnetic imaging at the nanometer scale by ballistic electron magnetic microscopy. United States: N. p., 2013. Web. doi:10.1063/1.4811690.
Herve, M., Tricot, S., Guezo, S., Delhaye, G., Lepine, B., Schieffer, P., & Turban, P. Quantitative magnetic imaging at the nanometer scale by ballistic electron magnetic microscopy. United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4811690
Herve, M., Tricot, S., Guezo, S., Delhaye, G., Lepine, B., Schieffer, P., and Turban, P. 2013. "Quantitative magnetic imaging at the nanometer scale by ballistic electron magnetic microscopy". United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4811690.
@article{osti_22163056,
title = {Quantitative magnetic imaging at the nanometer scale by ballistic electron magnetic microscopy},
author = {Herve, M. and Tricot, S. and Guezo, S. and Delhaye, G. and Lepine, B. and Schieffer, P. and Turban, P.},
abstractNote = {We demonstrate quantitative ballistic electron magnetic microscopy (BEMM) imaging of simple model Fe(001) nanostructures. We use in situ nanostencil shadow mask resistless patterning combined with molecular beam epitaxy deposition to prepare under ultra-high vacuum conditions nanostructured epitaxial Fe/Au/Fe/GaAs(001) spin-valves. In this epitaxial system, the magnetization of the bottom Fe/GaAs(001) electrode is parallel to the [110] direction, defining accurately the analysis direction for the BEMM experiments. The large hot-electron magnetoresistance of the Fe/Au/Fe/GaAs(001) epitaxial spin-valve allows us to image various stable magnetic configurations on the as-grown Fe(001) microstructures with a high sensitivity, even for small misalignments of both magnetic electrodes. The angular dependence of the hot-electron magnetocurrent is used to convert magnetization maps calculated by micromagnetic simulations into simulated BEMM images. The calculated BEMM images and magnetization rotation profiles show quantitative agreement with experiments and allow us to investigate the magnetic phase diagram of these model Fe(001) microstructures. Finally, magnetic domain reversals are observed under high current density pulses. This opens the way for further BEMM investigations of current-induced magnetization dynamics.},
doi = {10.1063/1.4811690},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/22163056}, journal = {Journal of Applied Physics},
issn = {0021-8979},
number = 23,
volume = 113,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Jun 21 00:00:00 EDT 2013},
month = {Fri Jun 21 00:00:00 EDT 2013}
}