Probing 3D magnetic nanostructures by dark-field magneto-optical Kerr effect

Sanz-Hernández, D., Skoric, L., Cascales-Sandoval, M. Á. and Fernandez-Pacheco, A. (2023) Probing 3D magnetic nanostructures by dark-field magneto-optical Kerr effect. Journal of Applied Physics, 133(4), 043901. (doi: 10.1063/5.0132250)

Abstract

Magneto-optical techniques are key tools for the characterization of magnetic effects at a nanoscale. Here, we present the dark-field magneto-optical Kerr effect (DFMOKE), a technique we have recently developed for the characterization of three-dimensional magnetic nanostructures. We introduce the principles of DFMOKE, based on the separation of an incident beam into multiple reflected beams when focusing on a 3D nano-geometry. We show the key modifications needed in a standard focused MOKE magnetometer to perform these measurements. Finally, we showcase the power of this method by detecting the magnetic switching of a single tilted 3D nanowire, independently from the switching of a magnetic thin film that surrounds it. We obtain independent and simultaneous switching detection of the nanowire and the film for all nanowire dimensions investigated, allowing us to estimate a magnetic sensitivity of 7 × 10−15 A m2 for DFMOKE in the setup used. We conclude the article by providing perspectives of future avenues where DFMOKE can be a very powerful characterization tool in the future investigations of 3D magnetic nanostructures.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Fernandez-Pacheco, Dr Amalio and Skoric, Mr Luka and Cascales Sandoval, Miguel Ángel
• Authors: Sanz-Hernández, D., Skoric, L., Cascales-Sandoval, M. Á., and Fernandez-Pacheco, A.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics
• Publisher: American Institute of Physics
• ISSN: 0021-8979
• ISSN (Online): 1089-7550
• Published Online: 23 January 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of Applied Physics 133(4):043901
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence