Apparatus for vectorial Kerr confocal microscopy

Rev Sci Instrum. 2011 Feb;82(2):023709. doi: 10.1063/1.3555757.

Abstract

We present a confocal microscopy setup that is able to record magneto-optical hysteresis cycles separating the in-plane and out-of-plane magnetization components. This apparatus is based on a modified commercial microscope, where the light beam has been deviated from the cylindrical symmetry axis of the objective lenses by inserting a translating plate in the optical path. The instrument allows for the magneto-optical imaging with a lateral resolution of 600 nm at λ = 635 nm light wavelength.