Imaging magnetic responses of nanomagnets by XPEEM

Abstract

The Spin-resolved Photoelectron Emission Microscope (SPEEM) is a permanently installed set-up at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB). Due to its specific contrast it is mainly used for magnetic imaging and micro-spectroscopy with quantitative analysis. A crucial point in magnetic imaging is the application of magnetic fields. Many experiments require observation of magnetic responses or the preparation of a certain magnetic state during the measurement. We present a dedicated magnetic sample holder combining magnetic field during imaging with additional temperature control. This set-up enables SPEEM to measure magnetization curves of individual Fe nanocubes (18 nm) 3 in size. If additionally alternating magnetic fields are applied we can image the local magnetic AC susceptibility (χAC) as a function of temperature. The latter is ideally suited to visualize local variations of the Curie temperature (TC) in nano- and microstructures. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.Support by F. Nolting is acknowledged for the design of the sample holder. J. H-A acknowledges financial support by MAT 2011/23791.Peer Reviewe