Probing Magnetic Interfaces with Coherent X-rays

Program Description

The emerging technology of spintronics depends heavily on nanoscale architectures and quantum confinement. Examples include ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic sandwiches and multilayers that form the basis of “read-heads” and storage media. Quantitative characterization of the interfacial structural and magnetic parameters at the nanometer level is not only interesting but crucial for comprehensive understanding of ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetric interfaces. This talk will focus on recent results which exploit the unique spatial sensitivity of soft coherent x-ray beams to measure static and dynamic properties of buried magnetic interfaces. By measuring the time evolution of element specific speckle pattern using coherent x-rays we have determined temperature dependent domain dynamics near magnetic phase transition of an ultrathin Cobalt film. We will discuss lensless x-ray imaging and holography in reflection geometry, and its potential to image magnetic Bragg planes. Finally we will discuss temporal evolution of equilibrium fluctuation of a helical antiferromagnet.