High-resolution imaging of fast magnetization dynamics in magnetic nanostructures

By combining magnetic transmission x-ray microscopy with a stroboscopic pump and probe technique using synchrotron radiation we are able to image the magnetization dynamics in micron sized magnetic particles on a sub-100 ps time scale with a lateral spatial resolution down to 21 nm. We report first observations in squared elements indicating locally varying precessional frequencies which are in agreement with micromagnetic simulations. The experiment opens a route towards a high spatiotemporal resolution of spin patterns which is needed to understand the microscopic origin of magnetization reversal of micron sized and nano-sized magnetic particles. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.