A spin-based magnetic scanning microscope for in-situ strain tuning of soft matter

Abstract

We present a magnetic scanning microscope equipped with a nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center scanning probe that has the ability to mechanically tune the strain of soft matter in-situ. The construction of the microscope and a continuous strain-tuning sample holder are discussed. An optically detected magnetic resonance protocol utilized in the imaging is described. In order to show the reliability of this microscope, the strain conduction is estimated with finite element simulation, and x-ray diffraction is required for calibration when freestanding crystal films are under consideration. A magnetic imaging result is displayed to demonstrate the nano-scale imaging capability. The microscope presented in this work is helpful in studying strain-coupled magnetic physics such as magnetic phase transition under strain and strain-tuned cycloidal orientation tilting.