Abstract
Ultrathin Co layers grown on Au(1 1 1) surface were observed by means of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) equipped with a p-type GaAs tip. The GaAs tips were made either by in-air cleavage or micro-fabrication process and were illuminated through the sample by a He–Ne laser or a GaAlAs laser to excite spin-polarized electrons inside. The spin polarization was modulated by modulating laser beam polarization. During a scanning of the GaAs tip over the as-grown Co ultrathin films of 3 ML thickness, modulation frequency component of the tunneling current was recorded to construct an image. The image showed domain like structure with typical lateral size of about 150–300 nm. This size coincides with the magnetic domain size which was observed by a magnetic force microscope for the same sample (or a sample that was made by the same procedure). The imaging mechanism is discussed taking spin dependent tunneling and several parasitic effects such as (magnetic) circular dichroism into account.
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