Nanoscale imaging of buried topological defects with quantitative X-ray magnetic microscopy

Nature Communications
C Blanco-RoldánS Ferrer

Abstract

Advances in nanoscale magnetism increasingly require characterization tools providing detailed descriptions of magnetic configurations. Magnetic transmission X-ray microscopy produces element specific magnetic domain images with nanometric lateral resolution in films up to ∼100 nm thick. Here we present an imaging method using the angular dependence of magnetic contrast in a series of high resolution transmission X-ray microscopy images to obtain quantitative descriptions of the magnetization (canting angles relative to surface normal and sense). This method is applied to 55-120 nm thick ferromagnetic NdCo5 layers (canting angles between 65° and 22°), and to a NdCo5 film covered with permalloy. Interestingly, permalloy induces a 43° rotation of Co magnetization towards surface normal. Our method allows identifying complex topological defects (merons or ½ skyrmions) in a NdCo5 film that are only partially replicated by the permalloy overlayer. These results open possibilities for the characterization of deeply buried magnetic topological defects, nanostructures and devices.

References

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Citations

Jun 10, 2017·Nature Communications·Amalio Fernández-PachecoRussell P Cowburn
Sep 28, 2017·Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter : an Institute of Physics Journal·Ibrahima CamaraMassimiliano Marangolo
Mar 5, 2016·Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter : an Institute of Physics Journal·M Di Pietro MartínezS Bustingorry
Dec 10, 2016·Scientific Reports·C Di GiorgioM Iavarone
Dec 5, 2019·Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter : an Institute of Physics Journal·C Donnelly, V Scagnoli
Oct 27, 2017·Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter : an Institute of Physics Journal·I S CamaraM Marangolo
Aug 19, 2018·Scientific Reports·V RollanoJ L Vicent
Jul 7, 2018·Journal of Synchrotron Radiation·Aurelio Hierro-RodriguezSalvador Ferrer
Feb 26, 2020·Nature Nanotechnology·Claire DonnellyJörg Raabe
Jul 8, 2020·ACS Nano·Dédalo Sanz-HernándezAmalio Fernández-Pacheco

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
imaging technique
X-ray
PMA
electron microscopy
chip

Software Mentioned

MuMax3

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