Local X-ray magnetic circular dichroism study of Fe/Cu(111) using a tunneling smart tip

Localized spectroscopy with simultaneous topographic, elemental and magnetic information is presented. A synchrotron X-ray scanning tunneling microscope has been employed for the local study of the X-ray magnetic circular dichroism at the Fe L2,3-edges of a thin iron film grown on Cu(111). Polarization-dependent X-ray absorption spectra have been obtained through a tunneling smart tip that serves as a photoelectron detector. In contrast to conventional spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy, X-ray excitations provide magnetic contrast even with a non-magnetic tip. Intensity variations in the photoexcited tip current point to chemical variations within a single magnetic Fe domain.

Source: Journal of Synchrotron Radiation - January 28, 2016 Category: Physics Authors: DiLullo, A.Shirato, N.Cummings, M.Kersell, H.Chang, H.Rosenmann, D.Miller, D.Freeland, J.W.Hla, S.-W.Rose, V. Tags: synchrotron X-ray scanning tunneling microscopy smart tip XMCD chemical contrast research papers Source Type: research