Quantitative magnetic force microscopy on permalloy dots using an iron filled carbon nanotube probe

Abstract

An iron filled carbon nanotube (FeCNT), a 10-40 nm ferromagnetic nanowire enclosed in a protective carbon tube, is an attractive candidate for a magnetic force microscopy (MFM) probe as it provides a mechanically and chemically robust, nanoscale probe. We demonstrate the probe's capabilities with images of the magnetic field gradients close to the surface of a Py dot in both the multi-domain and vortex states. We show the FeCNT probe is accurately described by a single magnetic monopole located at its tip. Its effective magnetic charge is determined by the diameter of the iron wire and its saturation magnetization 4πM(s) ≈ 2.2 × 10(4)G. A magnetic monopole probe is advantageous as it enables quantitative measurements of the magnetic field gradient close to the sample surface. The lateral resolution is defined by the diameter of the iron wire and the probe-sample separation.