Direct Imaging of Temperature-Dependent Layered Antiferromagnetism of a Magnetic Oxide

Abstract

With the use of a newly developed spin-polarized scanning electron microscope, we have succeeded in obtaining the real-space images of the layered-antiferromagnetic state concurrent with 1-nm-stepped atomic terraces in layered-structure manganite $\mathrm{L}{\mathrm{a}}_{\mathrm{1.4}}\mathrm{S}{\mathrm{r}}_{\mathrm{1.6}}\mathrm{M}{\mathrm{n}}_{\mathrm{2}}{\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{7}}$. The three-dimensional analysis of spin alignment could further reveal the temperature-dependent spin reorientation and the anfiferromagnetic domain walls on the atomic terraces. These ensure the use of the present microscopy for quantitative analysis of local magnetic structures in a broader range of materials, including magnetic oxides and nanomaterials.