title: Imaging of surface spin textures on bulk crystals by scanning electron microscopy.
abstract: Direct observation of magnetic microstructures is vital for advancing spintronics and other technologies. Here we report a method for imaging surface domain structures on bulk samples by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Complex magnetic domains, referred to as the maze state in CoPt/FePt alloys, were observed at a spatial resolution of less than 100 nm by using an in-lens annular detector. The method allows for imaging almost all the domain walls in the mazy structure, whereas the visualisation of the domain walls with the classical SEM method was limited. Our method provides a simple way to analyse surface domain structures in the bulk state that can be used in combination with SEM functions such as orientation or composition analysis. Thus, the method extends applications of SEM-based magnetic imaging, and is promising for resolving various problems at the forefront of fields including physics, magnetics, materials science, engineering, and chemistry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Science for Electronics and Materials, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Engineering Sciences, Kyushu University, Kasuga 816-8580, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Akamine
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Science for Electronics and Materials, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Engineering Sciences, Kyushu University, Kasuga 816-8580, Japan.
authors.forename: So
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Okumura
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering Sciences for Electronics and Materials, Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Kyushu University, Kasuga 816-8580, Japan.
authors.forename: Sahar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Farjami
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Quantum Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.|The Ultramicroscopy Research Center, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasukazu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Murakami
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering Sciences for Electronics and Materials, Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Kyushu University, Kasuga 816-8580, Japan.
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nishida