Functionalization of atomic force microscopy Akiyama tips for magnetic force microscopy measurements

TL;DR

This paper presents a method to functionalize atomic force microscopy tips with cobalt using focused electron beam deposition, enabling magnetic force microscopy at various temperatures with measurable coercive fields.

Contribution

It introduces a novel technique to create magnetic AFM tips with high cobalt content for enhanced magnetic force microscopy applications.

Findings

Cobalt-coated tips have 90% Co content after air exposure.

Magnetic tips exhibit a coercive field of 68 Oe.

Tips enable magnetic measurements from room temperature to 4.2K.

Abstract

In this work we have used focused electron beam induced deposition of cobalt to functionalize atomic force microscopy Akiyama tips for application in magnetic force microscopy. The grown tips have a content of 90% Co after exposure to ambient air. The magnetic tips were characterized using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In order to investigate the magnetic properties, current loops were prepared by electron beam lithography. Measurements at room temperature as well as 4.2K were carried out and the coercive field of 68 Oe of the Co tip was estimated by applying several external fields in the opposite direction of the tip magnetization. Magnetic Akiyama tips open new possibilities for low to room-temperature magnetic force microscopy measurements.