Photoemission electron microscopy of three-dimensional magnetization configurations in core-shell nanostructures

Abstract

We present a photoemission electron microscopy method that combines magnetic imaging of the surface and of the inner magnetization in three-dimensional core-shell nanostructures. The structure investigated consists of a cylindrical nickel core that is completely surrounded by a shell of iron oxide and silicon oxide layers. The method enables one to image the magnetization configuration of the nickel core even though the shell is thicker than the mean-free path of the photoelectrons. Characteristic ${L}_{3}$ and ${L}_{2}$ edges can be observed not only in the yield of the photoelectrons emitted from the surface of the nanostructure but also in its shadow. X-ray magnetic circular dichroism in the electron yield of the x rays absorbed and transmitted by the multilayered nanowire allows for the individual imaging of the magnetization configurations of the iron oxide tube and the nickel core. The method suggests novel approaches for the characterization of the magnetic and material properties of complex three-dimensional nanostructures.