Real-space visualization of intrinsic magnetic fields of an antiferromagnet

Authors

Yuji Kohno, Takehito Seki, Scott David Findlay, Yuichi Ikuhara and Naoya Shibata

Abstract
Characterizing magnetic structures down to atomic dimensions is central to the design and control of nanoscale magnetism in materials and devices. However, real-space visualization of magnetic fields at such dimensions has been extremely challenging. In recent years, atomic-resolution differential phase contrast scanning transmission electron microscopy (DPC STEM)¹ has enabled direct imaging of electric field distribution even inside single atoms². Here we show real-space visualization of magnetic field distribution inside antiferromagnetic haematite (α-Fe₂O₃) using atomic-resolution DPC STEM in a magnetic-field-free environment³. After removing the phase-shift component due to atomic electric fields and improving the signal-to-noise ratio by unit-cell averaging, real-space visualization of the intrinsic magnetic fields in α-Fe₂O₃ is realized. These results open a new possibility for real-space characterization of many magnetic structures.

【References】
1. Shibata, N. et al. Differential phase-contrast microscopy at atomic resolution. Nat. Phys. 8, 611–615 (2012).
2. Shibata, N. et al. Electric field imaging of single atoms. Nat. Commun. 8, 15631 (2017).
3. Shibata, N. et al. Atomic resolution electron microscopy in a magnetic field free environment. Nat. Commun. 10, 2308 (2019).



Nature : https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04254-z