Sebastian Hankemeier

Multiscale magnetic study of Ni(111) and graphene on Ni(111)

We have investigated the magnetism of the bare and graphene-covered (111) surface of a Ni single crystal employing three different magnetic imaging techniques and ab initio calculations, covering length scales from the nanometer regime up to several millimeters. With low temperature spinpolarized scanning tunneling microscopy (SP-STM) we find domain walls with widths of 60 - 90 nm, which can be moved by small perpendicular magnetic fields. Spin contrast is also achieved on the graphene-covered surface, which means that the electron density in the vacuum above graphene is substantially spin-polarized. In accordance with our ab initio calculations we find an enhanced atomic corrugation with respect to the bare surface, due to the presence of the carbon pz orbitals and as a result of the quenching of Ni surface states. The latter also leads to an inversion of spinpolarization with respect to the pristine surface. Room temperature Kerr microscopy shows a stripe like domain pattern with stripe widths of 3 - 6 {\mu}m. Applying in-plane-fields, domain walls start to move at about 13 mT and a single domain state is achieved at 140 mT. Via scanning electron microscopy with polarization analysis (SEMPA) a second type of modulation within the stripes is found and identified as 330 nm wide V-lines. Qualitatively, the observed surface domain pattern originates from bulk domains and their quasi-domain branching is driven by stray field reduction.

Optimizing a low-energy electron diffraction spin-polarization analyzer for imaging of magnetic surface structures

A newly designed scanning electron microscope with polarization analysis (SEMPA or spin-SEM) for the acquisition of magnetic images is presented. Core component is the spin detector, based on the scattering of low-energy electrons at a W(100) surface in ultrahigh vacuum. The instrument has been optimized with respect to ease of handling and efficiency. The operation and performance of a general low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) detector for SEMPA have been modeled in order to find the optimum operating parameters and to predict the obtainable image asymmetry. Based on the energy dependence of the secondary electron polarization and intensity, the detector output is simulated. For our instrument with optimized performance we demonstrate experimentally 8.6% polarization asymmetry in the domain structure of an iron whisker. This corresponds to 17.2% image contrast, in excellent agreement with the predicted simulated value. A contrast to noise ratio of 27 is achieved at 5 ms acquisition time per pixel.

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.

Characterization of domain wall–based traps for magnetic beads separation

We characterize the magnetic behavior of an array of magnetic bead traps based on domain walls (DWs) formed in zig-zag permalloy wires patterned on a Si substrate. Using magnetic force and magneto-optical Kerr effect microscopy, we study the nucleation and annihilation of DWs for two different wire widths. Through scanning electron microscopy with polarization analysis, we analyze in detail the magnetization configuration of the DWs in the presence of a magnetic bead previously trapped by the DW stray field. Finally, we patterned the magnetic nanostructures directly on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate, and we show that the functionality of the device is completely maintained. These results pave the way to the integration of DW-based devices in a PDMS lab-on-a-chip system for magnetic bead separation.

Ultrahigh current densities in Permalloy nanowires on diamond

To study the forces of spin polarized currents on domain walls in the microscopic scale, dc densities in the order of 1012A∕m2 are required. In general, current densities of this magnitude cause a rapid destruction of metallic wires. We present a device that allows us to apply current densities of 1.5×1012A∕m2 for more than an hour without degradation in the wire, using a diamond substrate as heat spreader. Annealing effects are observed and the wire temperature is measured and modeled as function of the current density.

Long-time stability of a low-energy electron diffraction spin polarization analyzer for magnetic imaging

The time stability of a polarization analyzer that is used for imaging of magnetic structures in a scanning electron microscope with spin polarization analysis (spin-SEM or SEMPA) is investigated. The detector is based on the diffraction of low-energy electrons at a W(100) crystal at 104.5 eV (LEED detector). Due to the adsorption of hydrogen from residual gas, a change of the scattering conditions is found that causes an angular shift of the LEED beams as well as changes of intensity. The quality factor, which describes the efficiency of the detector in SEMPA application, however, is found to be almost constant up to a hydrogen coverage of θ ≈ 0.25. This gives stable working conditions within roughly 1 h at vacuum conditions of 10(-10) mbar.

Engineered magnetic domain textures in exchange bias bilayer systems

A magnetic domain texture has been deterministically engineered in a topographically flat exchange-biased (EB) thin film system. The texture consists of long-range periodically arranged unit cells of four individual domains, characterized by individual anisotropies, individual geometry, and with non-collinear remanent magnetizations. The texture has been engineered by a sequence of light-ion bombardment induced magnetic patterning of the EB layer system. The magnetic textures in-plane spatial magnetization distribution and the corresponding domain walls have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy with polarization analysis (SEMPA). The influence of magnetic stray fields emerging from neighboring domain walls and the influence of the different anisotropies of the adjacent domains on the Neel type domain wall cores magnetization rotation sense and widths were investigated. It is shown that the usual energy degeneracy of clockwise and counterclockwise rotating magnetization through the walls is revoked, suppressing Bloch lines along the domain wall. Estimates of the domain wall widths for different domain configurations based on material parameters determined by vibrating sample magnetometry were quantitatively compared to the SEMPA data.

Magnetic Domain Structure in Coupled Rectangular Nanostructures

The coupling of rectangular magnetic 2000×1000×20 nm3 structures with flux-closure domain configurations is studied using micromagnetic simulations with periodic boundary conditions. In order to understand the origin of the interaction, the magnetic structure of a single element is analyzed in detail to calculate its magnetostatic fringe field. Both, our simulations as well as earlier experimental data reveal an interesting phenomenon: instead of four domains forming the well-known Landau state there are six domains. A consistent magnitude of the effect can be obtained, when the highly susceptible paramagnetic “coating layer” used in the experiment is included in the simulation. The coupling behavior of both, horizontally and vertically aligned arrays of rectangles is explained by the magnetostatic field of the single element. We show that for arrays of elements that have a coating layer inter-element coupling depends strongly on properties of this coating layer.