Daniel Stickler

ultrafast optical demagnetization manipulates nanoscale spin structure in domain walls

During ultrafast demagnetization of a magnetically ordered solid, angular momentum has to be transferred between the spins, electrons, and phonons in the system on femto- and picosecond timescales. Although the intrinsic spin-transfer mechanisms are intensely debated, additional extrinsic mechanisms arising due to nanoscale heterogeneity have only recently entered the discussion. Here we use femtosecond X-ray pulses from a free-electron laser to study thin film samples with magnetic domain patterns. We observe an infrared-pump-induced change of the spin structure within the domain walls on the sub-picosecond timescale. This domain-topography-dependent contribution connects the intrinsic demagnetization process in each domain with spin-transport processes across the domain walls, demonstrating the importance of spin-dependent electron transport between differently magnetized regions as an ultrafast demagnetization channel. This pathway exists independent from structural inhomogeneities such as chemical interfaces, and gives rise to an ultrafast spatially varying response to optical pump pulses.

Soft x-ray holographic microscopy

We present a new x-ray microscopy technique based on Fourier transform holography (FTH), where the sample is separate from the optics part of the setup. The sample can be shifted with respect to the holography optics, thus large-scale or randomly distributed objects become accessible. As this extends FTH into a true microscopy technique, we call it x-ray holographic microscopy (XHM). FTH allows nanoscale imaging without the need for nanometer-size beams. Simple Fourier transform yields an unambiguous image reconstruction. We demonstrate XHM by studying the magnetic domain evolution of a Co/Pt multilayer film as function of locally varied iron overlayer thickness.

Magnetic soft x-ray holography study of focused ion beam-patterned Co/Pt multilayers

We report on Fourier transform holography (FTH) experiments on nanostructured Co/Pt multilayer films with 40 nm spatial imaging resolution. The films have been nanostructured by means of focused ion beam (FIB) milling. Applying the ion beam through the supporting membrane with controlled and homogeneous dosing allows for higher resolution magnetic structuring of the ion-sensitive film compared to direct FIB patterning. Nanostructured samples with magnetic stripes exposed to different ion doses and magnetic arrays with 200 nm lattice constant were successfully prepared and imaged by FTH. We present image-processing routines for artifact-free image reconstruction. With this, we could investigate the FIB-induced anisotropy modulation and the perpendicular domain structure in the nanostructured samples, showing how to control the domain size and configuration by applying the appropriate ion dose either homogeneously or concentrated in single spots.

Rolled-up nanotechnology for the fabrication of three-dimensional fishnet-type GaAs-metal metamaterials with negative refractive index at near-infrared frequencies

We propose and demonstrate the fabrication of a three-dimensional fishnet metamaterial by utilizing rolled-up nanotechnology. It consists of 6 alternating layers of silver and (In)GaAs with an array of subwavelength holes “drilled” by focused ion beams. By means of finite-integration technique simulations, we show that the fabricated structure is a single-negative material possessing a negative real part of the refractive index in the near-infrared regime. We show that the fabricatedmaterial can be made double negative by slightly changing the size of the holes.

Sputter yields of single- and polycrystalline metals for application in focused ion beam technology

In this paper we present results from quantitative sputter yield measurements for bombardment with 30 keV Ga+ ions, which are commonly used in focused ion beam systems. The sputter yields were obtained from measurements of the removed volume. We describe a technique that allows the precise geometric measurement of the material removed by multipass milling. Yield data for polycrystalline Permalloy and cobalt are measured as well as data for silicon and gallium arsenide. For iron and tungsten single crystals, the dependence of the sputter yield on the crystalline orientation has been investigated. Distinctive minima and maxima of the yield are observed as a function of the incidence angle, and vary up to a factor of 10. The positions of the minima coincide with low-Miller-index crystalline orientations and can thus be attributed to channeling of the Ga+ ions. A comparison with simulation results for amorphous materials shows that yield values from simulation are only applicable for those orientations withou...

Imaging the in-plane magnetization in a Co microstructure by Fourier transform holography

We report on experiments using Fourier transform holography to image the in-plane magnetization of a magnetic microstructure. Magnetic sensitivity is achieved via the x-ray magnetic circular dichroism effect by recording holograms in transmission at off-normal incidence. The reference beam is defined by a narrow hole milled at an inclined angle into the opaque mask. We present magnetic domain images of an in-plane magnetized cobalt element with a size of 2 μm × 2 μm× 20 nm. The domain pattern shows a multi-vortex state that deviates from the simple Landau ground state.

In-situ magnetic nano-patterning of Fe films grown on Cu(100)

Metastable paramagnetic face-centered cubic (fcc) Fe films grown on a Cu(100) single crystal at room temperature can be transformed to the ferromagnetic body-centered cubic (bcc) structure by ion irradiation. We have employed this technique to write small ferromagnetic patches by Ar+ irradiation through a gold coated SiN mask with regularly arranged 80-nm diameter holes, which was placed on top of the as-prepared fcc Fe films. Nanopatterning was performed on both 8-monolayer (ML) Fe films grown in ultrahigh vacuum as well as 22-ML films stabilized by dosing carbon monoxide during growth. The structural transformation of these nano-patterned films was investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy. In both 8 and 22-ML fcc Fe films, the bcc needles are found to protrude laterally out of the irradiated part of the sample, limiting the resolution of the technique to a few 10 nm. The magnetic transformation was confirmed by magnetic force microscopy.

Overcoming the field-of-view restrictions in soft x-ray holographic imaging

We present a new concept for imaging by soft x-ray holography. Microscopylike imaging capabilities were achieved by the separation of mask and sample. The use of two independent silicon nitride membranes, one for the field-of-view-defining mask and the reference beam, and the other for the sample, allows to image different areas on the sample. The movement of the field-of-view across the sample is realized by a piezomotor-driven sample stage that permits relative and stable positioning with nm-precision. We demonstrate the capabilities of the x-ray holographic microscopy (XHM) technique by showing images with 60 nm spatial resolution of an artificially structured 100 nm thick gold film with a lateral size of 19 × 4 μm2.

Integrated setup for the fabrication and measurement of magnetoresistive nanoconstrictions in ultrahigh vacuum

A UHV instrument is presented for in situ fabrication of nanostructures and in situ investigation of their magnetoresistance. Nanostructures of diverse shape and size are created from thin films utilizing a focused ion beam. The magnetic nanostructures are contacted via a micromanipulator, which makes it possible to address the individual structures. The system is additionally equipped with a scanning electron microscope column, which is used for damage-free navigation and control of the structuring and contacting. First magnetoresistance measurements of structures carved into a Permalloy film demonstrate the high sensitivity and the flexibility of the new setup.

Size Effect on Magnetic Switching and Interlayer Magnetostatic Coupling in Spin-Valve Nanorings Exchange-Biased by Synthetic Antiferromagnets

This paper presents studies of the size effect on magnetic switching and interlayer magnetostatic coupling in synthetic antiferromagnet (SAF)-pinned spin-valve nanorings connected to nano stripes with a nanoconstriction. Micromagnetic simulation has been successfully used to reveal the detailed magnetization reversal process of these nanorings. It was observed that SAF-pinned spin-valve nanorings exhibit a double (onion-vortex-reverse onion) or single (onion-reverse onion) magnetization switching process depending on the ring diameter, which is contrary to narrow single-layer NiFe rings that show a double switching process only. Micromagnetic simulations of the SAF-pinned spin valve nanorings suggest that the magnetostatic coupling between the pinned layers of the SAF and the free layer is dependent on the ring size: it plays a very important role in the magnetization switching of small nanorings (600 nm outer diameter), but only a minor role in the switching of big nanorings (1600 nm outer diameter). An efficient reduction of the magnetostatic interaction results in a small shift of the minor magnetoresistance curve, which is beneficial to the magnetic memory applications.