Magnetic microstructures and their dynamics studied by X-ray microscopy.
Full-field soft X-ray microscopy in combination with X-ray magnetic circular dichroism as contrast mechanism is a powerful technique to image with elemental specificity magnetic nanostructures and multilayered thin films at high lateral resolution down to 15nm by using Fresnel zone plates as X-ray optical elements. Magnetization reversal phenomena on a microscopic level are studied by recording the images in varying external magnetic fields. Local spin dynamics at a time resolution below 100ps can be addressed by engaging a stroboscopic pump-and-probe scheme taking into account the time pattern of synchrotron storage rings. Characteristic features of magnetic soft X-ray microscopy are reviewed and an outlook into future perspectives with regard to increased lateral and temporal resolution is given.
Fischer
P
P
E.O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Center for X-ray Optics, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. pjfischer@lbl.gov
Kim
D-H
DH
Kang
B
B
Chao
W
W
Anderson
E H
EH