Micromagnetism in (001) magnetite by spin-polarized low-energy electron microscopy

Abstract

Spin-polarized low-energy electron microscopy was used to image a magnetite crystal with (001) surface orientation. Sets of spin-dependent images of magnetic domain patterns observed in this surface were used to map the direction of the magnetization vector with high spatial and angular resolution. We find that domains are magnetized along the surface <110> directions, and domain wall structures include 90° and 180° walls. A type of unusually curved domain walls are interpreted as Néel-capped surface terminations of 180° Bloch walls.

Keywords: Low-energy electron microscopy; Magnetic oxides; Magnetite; Spin-polarized low-energy electron microscopy.