Magnetic Domains and Domain Wall Pinning in Nanocrystalline Ni-P

Abstract

Magnetic domain structures in a Ni-5at%P alloy have been examined using Lorentz microscopy in Fresnel mode in a JEOL 2010TEM. with electron diffraction and high resolution electron imaging, the Ni-P alloy material is seen to be of FCC structure and composed of nanometer-sized grains (< 4nm in diameter), which is about 2 orders less in size than that of a single magnetic domain.The TEM specimen was prepared using jet polishing method. Before introducing the specimen into the microscope, the objective lens was turned off in a free lens control mode to ensure that the domain structures in the specimen remain unaffected. The objective mini-lens was used to perform Lorentz imaging with out-focus method.Stripe domains were observed. The width of these stripes is about 0.2 micron. But the length of these domains varies, sometime up to several microns. The stripe domains are grouped, which are near parallel one to the other.