easyPLL Overview

FM Detector

FM Sensor Controller

Applications

Magnetic domains of a nickel layer (8nm thick) bedded between two copper layers were studied by magnetic force microscopy. The magnetoelastic and interface anisotropy causes the magnetization to be perpendicular to the surface.

The direction of the magnetic field is towards the image plain in the dark domains and in the bright domains out of the image plain. The image size is 7µm x 7µm and the z range is 1.4 Hz.

Image to the right: Measurements and pictures by R. Hoffmann, P.J.A. van Schendel, H.J. Hug and H.-J. Güntherodt, Univ. of Basel, Switzerland.

Magnetic domain structures in connected permalloy (Ni₈₁Fe₁₉) rings. Diameter of the rings: 5 µm; thickness: 25 nm; gray scale 1.1 Hz. Sample was prepared by standard electron-beam lithography technique. Vortex state can be formed in an individual ring, while the connected rings form domain patterns.

Image to the right: Measurements and pictures by X. Zhu, P. Grutter (McGill), V. Metlushko (UIC), B. Ilic (Cornell)

Atomic resolution has been recently achieved using quartz tuning fork sensors on Si(111)-(7x7). The image below was taken in UHV using non-contact mode AFM. The very high quality measurements have become possible due to the very low noise, the high frequency resolution and the good thermal stability of the Nanosurf easyPLL FM-Detector.

Image to the right: Measurements and pictures by F. J. Giessibl, University of Augsburg, Germany.