title: Magnetic domain imaging with a scanning near-field optical microscope using a modified Sagnac interferometer.
abstract: We report on the combination of a scanning near-field optical microscope and a modified Sagnac interferometer for magnetic-domain imaging in the reflection mode. The Sagnac interferometer is used for detection of the magneto-optical Kerr effect. Since the interferometer is inherently insensitive to polarization changes caused by topography effects, magnetic-domain imaging is not limited to samples with flat surfaces. In this way, it is possible to image magnetic bits written on the tracks of a magneto-optical disc that has a rather pronounced surface profile.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Experimentalphysik, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany. bauer@physik.fu-berlin.de
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Crecelius
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wegner
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kaindl