New applications of the magnetic X-ray circular dichroism method for surface-magnetism investigations in a photoemission electron microscope

It is shown that magnetic X-ray circular dichroism (MXCD) can be exploited in photoemission electron microscopy not only to visualize the domain structure of ferromagnets, but also to perform quantitative measurements of the stray magnetic fields at the domain boundaries. In the general situation, two MXCD images obtained at different extractor voltages are required. In specific cases, however, it suffices to consider a single image, if it is deformed by the stray magnetic fields compared to a known object geometry. The object geometry means its real shape, scratches or other defects. It is also possible to deposit a paramagnetic film structured in the form of stripes or a grid as a reference on the ferromagnetic sample being investigated.