Bulk uniaxial crystal stray field images modeling based on the magnetic force microscopy experimental data

Abstract

Magnetic force microscopy is a state-of-the-art high-resolution method of magnetic domain structure stray field investigation. Bulk uniaxial crystals with a branched domain structure are characterized by a stray field that changes rapidly with increasing distance from the sample surface. For such structures, it is most important to obtain magnetic force images at the lowest achievable tip-sample lift height z value. Present paper discusses an algorithm for experimental images processing. The algorithm results in modeled images at any lift height z, including the surface domain structure image (z = 0). It contains new information about additional domains and can be used for the most correct estimation of domain structure parameters and micromagnetic analysis. In addition, the spatial distribution of the tip-sample interaction force and energy can be calculated, and a statistical analysis of the structure complexity can be performed based on the results obtained.