Spin-polarized low energy electron microscopy of ferromagnetic layers

Spin-polarized low energy electron microscopy (SPLEEM) is a powerful technique for the study of the magnetic domain structure of ferromagnetic surfaces, thin films and ferromagnetic / nonferromagnetic thin film systems. The unique feature of this instrument is the combination of magnetic with topographic imaging on an atomic depth scale level, and with structural information via low energy electron diffraction (LEED) from submicron regions. These capabilities are illustrated by studies of cobalt layers on W(110), Cu(111) and Au(111) surfaces, of Co-Cu and Co-Au bilayers and of Co/Au/Co and Co/Cu/Co sandwiches.