Versatile, high sensitivity, and automatized angular dependent vectorial Kerr magnetometer for the analysis of nanostructured materials

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2011

Authors

teixeira, j. m. (Author) FCUP; lusche, r. (Author) Other; ventura, j. (Author) FCUP; fermento, r. (Author) Other; carpinteiro, f. (Author) Other; araujo, j. p. (Author) FCUP; sousa, j. b. (Author) Other; cardoso, s. (Author) Other; freitas, p. p. (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Review of Scientific Instruments

Vol. 82

Final page: 043902

ISSN: 0034-6748

Publisher: American Institute of Physics

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 26 Citations

Scopus - 27 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-SKV

DOI: 10.1063/1.3579497

Abstract (EN): Magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) magnetometry is an indispensable, reliable, and one of the most widely used techniques for the characterization of nanostructured magnetic materials. Information, such as the magnitude of coercive fields or anisotropy strengths, can be readily obtained from MOKE measurements. We present a description of our state-of-the-art vectorial MOKE magnetometer, being an extremely versatile, accurate, and sensitivity unit with a low cost and comparatively simple setup. The unit includes focusing lenses and an automatized stepper motor stage for angular dependent measurements. The performance of the magnetometer is demonstrated by hysteresis loops of Co thin films displaying uniaxial anisotropy induced on growth, MnIr/CoFe structures exhibiting the so called exchange bias effect, spin valves, and microfabricated flux guides produced by optical lithography. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3579497]

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6