journal article·2023-08-01Open access

Perspective on imaging antiferromagnetic domains in thin films with the magneto-optical birefringence effect

Chao Zhou, Jia Xu, Tong Wu, Yizheng Wu

APL Materials· Volume 11· Issue 8

Abstract

Antiferromagnets are considered to be a promising host material for the next generation of magnetic storage due to their high stability and stray-field-free property. However, the absence of net magnetization in antiferromagnets renders conventional magnetometry ineffective, posing a great challenge in investigating microscopic antiferromagnetic (AFM) properties under magnetic or electric fields. In this Perspective, we provide an overview of various AFM domain imaging techniques and discuss the most promising optical imaging method based on the magneto-optical birefringence (MOB) effect. Additionally, we highlight recent advances in imaging AFM domains utilizing the MOB technique. This Perspective aims to provide a comprehensive review of the current research and potential future directions based on the MOB imaging technique, which could pave the way for the development of more efficient and reliable magnetic storage devices based on antiferromagnets.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Magnetic properties of thin films · Magneto-Optical Properties and Applications · Characterization and Applications of Magnetic Nanoparticles

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Physics, School of Physics and Telecommunication Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology 1 , Hanzhong 723001, China

Department of Physics and State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Fudan University 2 , Shanghai 200433, China

Shanghai Research Center for Quantum Sciences 3 , Shanghai 201315, China

Funding

National Key Research and Development Program of China · National Natural Science Foundation of China · Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Major Project · Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Basic Research Project · Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Provincial Department of Education · Natural Science Basic Research Program of Shaanxi Province · Shaanxi University of Technology · Open Research Project of State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics From Fudan University

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