Josef Zweck

Magnetization pattern of ferromagnetic nanodisks

We explore the magnetization pattern of Co and permalloy disks with diameters between 80 nm and 1 μm by using two complementary experimental techniques: Lorentz microscopy and magnetic force microscopy (MFM). By means of Lorentz microscopy we show that the dominating magnetization pattern of the disks is a vortex structure with closed flux lines in the plane of the disks. Complementary MFM measurements demonstrate that the magnetization in the center of the disks is tilted out of the plane of the disk. The experimental findings closely agree with corresponding micromagnetic calculations.

Lorentz microscopy of circular ferromagnetic permalloy nanodisks

Circular permalloy elements were fabricated by a combination of electron beam lithography, thermal evaporation and liftoff technique on electron transparent membrane substrates. The magnetic properties have been studied by Lorentz transmission electron microscopy. In situ magnetizing experiments have been carried out to obtain information about the nucleation and propagation of magnetic domains within the permalloy nanodisks and to determine the nucleation and saturation fields. The diameter of the patterned elements has been varied between 180 and 950 nm, the height was 15 nm. The experiments showed that the vortex configuration is the most favorable state in zero field conditions of all investigated permalloy nanodisks.

Magnetic switching of single vortex permalloy elements

Magnetic vortices play an important role in the switching behavior of micron- and submicron-sized ferromagnetic elements. We have prepared submicron permalloy elements by a combination of electron-beam lithography and liftoff technique on electron transparent membrane substrates. The magnetization reversal mechanism and the remanent magnetization configuration were observed by means of Lorentz transmission electron microscopy. In remanence, the investigated structures form a vortex configuration. In situ magnetizing experiments showed the possibility of adjusting the sense of magnetization rotation by introducing a slight geometric asymmetry to the otherwise circular nanostructures.

Atomic electric fields revealed by a quantum mechanical approach to electron picodiffraction.

By focusing electrons on probes with a diameter of 50 pm, aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) is currently crossing the border to probing subatomic details. A major challenge is the measurement of atomic electric fields using differential phase contrast (DPC) microscopy, traditionally exploiting the concept of a field-induced shift of diffraction patterns. Here we present a simplified quantum theoretical interpretation of DPC. This enables us to calculate the momentum transferred to the STEM probe from diffracted intensities recorded on a pixel array instead of conventional segmented bright-field detectors. The methodical development yielding atomic electric field, charge and electron density is performed using simulations for binary GaN as an ideal model system. We then present a detailed experimental study of SrTiO3 yielding atomic electric fields, validated by comprehensive simulations. With this interpretation and upgraded instrumentation, STEM is capable of quantifying atomic electric fields and high-contrast imaging of light atoms.

Scanning tunneling microscopy on rough surfaces: Tip‐shape‐limited resolution

This paper discusses the reliability of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) images of mesoscopically rough surfaces. The specific structure of these images represents a convolution between the real surface topography and the shape of the tip. In order to interpret these images quantitatively, the line scans of steep and high steps can be used to obtain an image of the tip itself. This image shows tip radii ranging typically from 5 to 15 nm and cone angles of about 30° over a length of 80 nm, and can in turn be used to recognize the limits of STM resolution on a rough surface: High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy cross‐section images of Au island films on a Au‐Nb double layer are convoluted with the experimentally observed tip shape; the resulting line scans correspond very well with STM graphs of the same samples. Finally an overall criterion for the resolution of the STM on such surfaces is proposed.

Ferromagnetic GaAs/GaMnAs Core−Shell Nanowires Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

GaAs/GaMnAs core-shell nanowires were grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The core GaAs nanowires were synthesized under typical nanowire growth conditions using gold as catalyst. For the GaMnAs shell the temperature was drastically reduced to achieve low-temperature growth conditions known to be crucial for high-quality GaMnAs. The GaMnAs shell grows epitaxially on the side facets of the core GaAs nanowires. A ferromagnetic transition temperature of 20 K is obtained. Magnetic anisotropy studies indicate a magnetic easy axis parallel to the nanowire axis.

Position controlled self-catalyzed growth of GaAs nanowires by molecular beam epitaxy

GaAs nanowires are grown by molecular beam epitaxy using a self-catalyzed, Ga-assisted growth technique. Position control is achieved by nano-patterning a SiO(2) layer with arrays of holes with a hole diameter of 85 nm and a hole pitch varying between 200 nm and 2 µm. Gallium droplets form preferentially at the etched holes acting as catalyst for the nanowire growth. The nanowires have hexagonal cross-sections with {110} side facets and crystallize predominantly in zincblende. The interdistance dependence of the nanowire growth rate indicates a change of the III/V ratio towards As-rich conditions for large hole distances inhibiting NW growth.

Stability of magnetic vortices in flat submicron permalloy cylinders

We have investigated the magnetic properties of flat permalloy cylinders by Lorentz transmission electron microscopy and micromagnetic simulations. The magnetization patterns during in situ magnetizing experiments have been imaged and they revealed that the magnetization reversal of the cylindrically shaped dots investigated is determined by the formation and annihilation of magnetic vortices. Furthermore, the experiments and micromagnetic simulations showed a dependence of the vortex annihilation field not only on the aspect ratio but also on the absolute thickness of the cylinders. The diameter of the cylindrical dots was varied between 150 and 1000 nm, and the thicknesses were 3, 5.5, 8.3, 15, and 20 nm, respectively. The formation of inhomogeneous magnetization patterns prior to vortex evolution was observed and by a comparison of the experimental to simulated Fresnel images these patterns can be identified as S- and C-like states.

High resolution transmission electron microscopy determination of Cd diffusion in CdSeZnSe single quantum well structures

Abstract The diffusion coefficient D(T) of Cd in CdSe ZnSe single quantum well (SQW) structures grown pseudomorphically on GaAs(001) is determined by high resolution transmission electron microscopy of annealed SQWs and subsequent digital analysis of lattice images. SQWs of 2 monolayer (ML) thickness were grown by molecular beam epitaxy. During growth the CdSe quantum wells (QWs) broaden to about 7 ML CdZnSe as measured by reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED). We find for the diffusion coefficient of Cd in ZnSe at temperatures between 340 and 400° C D(T) = 1.9 × 10−4 [cm2/s] · exp(− 1.8 [eV]/kT).

Vortex nucleation in submicrometer ferromagnetic disks

We investigate both experimentally and by means of micromagnetic calculations magnetic states preceding vortex formation in permalloy nanodisks. In experiment, we used micro-Hall sensors fabricated from GaAs/AlGaAs heterojunction material to measure stray field hysteresis loops of individual disks. Micromagnetic calculations involving different micromagnetic codes allowed us to interpret the experimental results. Both calculations and experiments suggest that vortex formation can be reached via different precursor states.