Magnetic materials
Magnetic materials
A recent development in the TEM Gemini Centre is the imaging of magnetic fields in materials. This enables nanoscale characterization of ferromagnetic domains in a range of materials, which can be combined with characterization of the crystal structure and composition.
The main technique is Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy - Differential Phase Contrast (STEM-DPC). Here the Lorentz force causes a small deflection of the electron beam, which we detect on a 4D-STEM detector. This technique can also be used to image electric fields in materials, for example in ferroelectric thin films.
Example of materials:
- Nanostructured permalloy
- Freestanding magnetic perovskite oxide membrane
- Irradiated Fe60Al40
- Thin film skyrmion material