Observation of FeGe skyrmions by electron phase microscopy with hole-free phase plate

We investigated magnetic textures in a Sc-doped hexaferrite film by means of phase microscopy (PM) with a hole-free phase plate in a transmission electron microscope. In a zero magnetic field, the stripe-shaped magnetic domains coexist with magnetic bubbles.The magnetization in both magnetic domains was oriented perpendicular to the film and the domain walls have an in-plane magnetization. In the remnant state at 9.2 mT, several magnetic bubbles were formed with the formation of stripe-shaped magnetic domains, and the out-of-plane component in the stripe-shaped domains gradually appeared as the film thickness increased. As the film thickness increases further, the magnetic bubbles with clockwise or counter-clockwise spin helicities formed a triangular lattice. These results in the remnant state suggest that the domain wall energy in the magnetic bubble domains is lower in the thicker region.

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“…We used the PM optics constructed in previous studies [11], as illustrated in Fig. 1.…”

Section: Experimental Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, PM has been utilized for imaging the magnetization distribution of magnetic textures [6]. For example, skyrmions [7][8][9][10], vortex-like magnetic textures were observed using PM with an HFPP, and the semiquantitative magnetic distribution was reproduced from the acquired PM image [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Magnetic textures in a hexaferrite thin film and their response to magnetic fields revealed by phase microscopy

Kotani

Harada

Malac

et al. 2019

Jpn. J. Appl. Phys.

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“…To avoid fringing, the hole-free phase plate (HFPP) was introduced recently [9,10], with the Volta PP being the most common realization [10], and several impressive applications have been published in the recent past [11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. The HFPP consists of a continuous and homogeneously thin aC film without a hole and relies on the formation of a phase-shifting patch on the film induced by the high intensity of the zero-order beam (ZOB).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of hole-free phase plate performance in transmission electron microscopy under different operation conditions by experiments and simulations

Pretzsch

Dries

Hettler

et al. 2019

Adv Struct Chem Imag

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Hole-free phase plates (HFPPs), also known as Volta phase plates, were already demonstrated to be well suited for in-focus transmission electron microscopy imaging of organic objects. However, the underlying physical processes have not been fully understood yet. To further elucidate the imaging properties of HFPPs, phase shift measurements were carried out under different experimental conditions. Both positive and negative phase shifts occur depending on the diameter of the zero-order electron beam and the HFPP film temperature. The analysis of Thon ring patterns of an amorphous carbon test sample reveals that the phase-shifting patch can be significantly larger than the size of the zero-order beam on the HFPP film. An HFPP was used for in-focus phase contrast imaging of carbon nanotube (CNT) bundles under positive and negative phase-shifting conditions. The comparison of experimental and simulated images of CNT bundles gives detailed information on the phase shift profile, which depends on the spatial frequency in the vicinity of the zero-order beam. The shape of the phase shift profile also explains halo-like image artifacts that surround the imaged objects.

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“…In contrast to electron holography (EH), PPs should not be considered quantitative tools, because the image contrast cannot be related to the object phase shift in a straightforward manner. However, recent progress indicates that in the case of a WPO, phase information from the sample can be extracted quantitatively [36]. Furthermore, a strong phase object that contains discrete spatial frequencies allows the quantitative PP imaging extraction of both the phase shift of the object and the phase shift at the HFPP [37].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phase plates in the transmission electron microscope: operating principles and applications

et al. 2020

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In this paper, we review the current state of phase plate imaging in a transmission electron microscope (TEM). We focus especially on the hole-free phase plate (HFPP) design, also referred to as the Volta phase plate (VPP). We discuss the implementation, operating principles and applications of phase plate imaging. We provide an imaging theory that accounts for inelastic scattering in both the sample and in the HFPP.

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Observation of FeGe skyrmions by electron phase microscopy with hole-free phase plate

Cited by 18 publications

References 21 publications

Magnetic textures in a hexaferrite thin film and their response to magnetic fields revealed by phase microscopy

Magnetic textures in a hexaferrite thin film and their response to magnetic fields revealed by phase microscopy

Investigation of hole-free phase plate performance in transmission electron microscopy under different operation conditions by experiments and simulations

Phase plates in the transmission electron microscope: operating principles and applications

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