Development of Imaging Methods for Soft X-ray MCD Microscopy towards Magnetization Dynamics Measurement and 3D Imaging

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K12492
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 80040:Quantum beam science-related
• Research Institution: Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute
• Principal Investigator: Kotani Yoshinori 公益財団法人高輝度光科学研究センター, 分光推進室, 外来研究員 (10596464)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 磁気イメージング / 軟X線顕微鏡 / ナノ集光 / 画像信号処理 / X線吸収分光

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The XMCD microscope is a scanning imaging device using a Fresnel zone plate, utilizing magnetic circular dichroism to visualize the magnetic domain of magnets at the nanoscale. Surface roughness and tilts on the small surface create edge effects that hinder the quantitative analysis of X-ray absorption images. Therefore, we developed surface topography imaging method using a 4-quadrant photodiode. By computationally deriving the take-off angles of photoelectrons, we attempted to detect the angles of microcrystal facets and tilts simultaneously with X-ray absorption intensity. This simultaneous measurement clarifies the correspondence between the magnet surface shape and the magnetic domain, promising contributions to the study of magnetization reversal processes in permanent magnet materials.

Free Research Field

量子ビーム

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は放射光磁気イメージング手法の高度化であり、永久磁石をはじめとする磁性体研究に広く展開できる。また、表面形状や面内磁化情報を同時計測によって得られるため、X線のビームタイムの有効利用に貢献できる。学術的には、新たな磁性体の特性解明や材料設計へのフィードバックによる短周期開発が促進され、社会的には、エネルギー効率の向上や環境負荷の低減につながる技術革新につながることが期待される。