Resolution enhancement by applying MFM under UHV conditions

TitleResolution enhancement by applying MFM under UHV conditions
Publication TypeJournal Articles
Year of Publication2000
AuthorsDreyer M, Gomez RD, Mayergoyz ID
JournalMagnetics, IEEE Transactions on
Volume36
Issue5
Pagination2975 - 2977
Date Published2000/09//
ISBN Number0018-9464
Keywordsconditions;cantilevers;domain, contrast;magnetic, domain, enhancement;Permalloy;magnetic, enhancement;signal-to-noise, film;perpendicular, films;magnetisation;, force, magnetization;resolution, MFM;NiFe;UHV, microscopy;magnetic, ratio, resolution;magnetic, thin, volume;permalloy, walls;lateral, walls;magnetic
Abstract

The enhancement in signal-to-noise ratio and lateral resolution in MFM in going from ambient pressure to UHV is demonstrated. The performance of several cantilevers is evaluated using a patterned 50 nm thick permalloy film, with cross-tie as well as 90 deg; domain walls, and a 200 nm thick permalloy film with perpendicular magnetization. The increase in the quality factor of the cantilever oscillation in UHV improves the sensitivity, consequently allowing less magnetic material on the tip to achieve the same signal-to-noise ratio. This reduction in magnetic volume sharpens the lateral resolution. We also demonstrate that the magnetic interaction can be so weak that a magnetic contrast is visible only under UHV conditions

DOI10.1109/20.908645