Methods for wide-field Kerr imaging of small magnetic devices

Author

Trouilloud, P.L. ; Petek, B. ; Argyle, B.E.

Author_Institution

Res. Div., IBM Thomas J. Watson Res. Center, Yorktown Heights, NY, USA

Volume

30

Issue

6

fYear

1994

fDate

11/1/1994 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

4494

Lastpage

4496

Abstract

Wide-field magneto-optic Kerr observation techniques are described for the imaging of magnetic recording heads and other small magnetic devices. The imaging problems encountered for these samples are quite different from those for continuous films and lead to a different set of experimental approaches. Observation techniques that preserve the magnetic state of the sample allow for the implementation of new image acquisition algorithms based on multiple additions and subtractions that progressively build up a weak Kerr contrast even under unfavorable experimental conditions. Examples of results are presented

Keywords

Kerr magneto-optical effect; magnetic heads; magnetic recording; magneto-optical devices; image acquisition algorithms; magnetic recording heads; magnetic state; magneto-optic Kerr observation techniques; multiple additions; small magnetic devices; subtractions; weak Kerr contrast; wide-field Kerr imaging; Magnetic devices; Magnetic modulators; Magnetooptic devices; Magnetooptic recording; Microscopy; Optical imaging; Optical modulation; Optical polarization; Optical saturation; Saturation magnetization;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9464

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/20.334119

Filename

334119