Magnetic imaging of spiral terraces in Cr(001) films

Abstract High-density self-organized spiral terraces were successfully fabricated on topological antiferromagnetic Cr(0 0 1) films. Imaging of both topological and magnetic structures was realized at room temperature by spin-polarized scanning tunneling spectroscopy. A complex spin frustration restricted by the topological asymmetry was observed in real space with nm resolution, which was well explained by a micromagnetic simulation. In addition, we discuss about influence of the distance and chirality between two adjacent spiral terraces on magnetic structures.