Development of soft X-ray microscope with a four-pole magnet

Soft X-ray microscopic experiments, such as scanning X-ray microscopy (SXM) and coherent X-ray imaging (CDI), have emerged as powerful techniques for investigating magnetic materials. However, X-ray imaging experiments under external magnetic fields with flexible orientation remain limited. We have developed a soft X-ray microscope equipped with a four-pole electromagnet, enabling imaging experiments magnetic field orientations continuously adjustable from parallel to perpendicular to the incident X-ray beam. This unique capability allows versatile experimental configurations, facilitating static magnetic imaging and advanced time-resolved imaging. We performed time-resolved SXM measurements on two different types of NiFe (permalloy) samples, successfully capturing the collective magnetization dynamics induced by ferromagnetic resonance effect. Furthermore, CDI measurement is demonstrated on multiferroic BiFeO [Formula: see text], visualizing sinusoidal magnetic structures with a spatial periodicity on the order of ten nanometers. The results highlight the efficiency of the developed X-ray microscope as a platform for studying the dynamics and complex spin textures of magnetic materials and spintronic devices.