Magneto-optical imaging and analysis of magnetic field micro-distributions with the aid of biased indicator films

Magneto-optical imaging films (MOIFs) were used for the study of magnetic stray field distributions above topographically and thermomagnetically patterned permanent magnet films and other miniature elements that could be used in magnetic micro-systems. Calibrated external bias fields were applied to the samples in situ to simplify the graduation procedure, to expand the measurement range and to minimize the measurement errors. Both uniaxial and planar MOIF were used to make quantitative measurements. A scheme for the fast reconstruction of magnetic serial sections of non-uniform field profiles is proposed. The usefulness of biased MOIF imaging is illustrated by a number of specific examples, such as mechanical hole-drilling adapted to the case of magnetic analysis, dynamic range expansion beyond the limits set by MOIF saturation, rendering surface magnetic flux variations at the microscale and in the presence of strong background. Published by AIP Publishing.