Applications of X-ray diffraction topography to the study of magnetic domains

X-ray diffraction topographic methods, namely, Lang's transmission topography, are briefly described. Besides different lattice defects, magnetic domains can be made visible by these methods. A number of experiments illustrating the main features of the contrast produced on domain walls are shown. The condition of visibility of 90° walls was found and interpreted on the basis of the magnetostrictive deformation of the crystal. Details of the contrast were explained using the dynamical theory of X-ray diffraction. Applications of X-ray topography to the study of magnetic domains are suggested, namely, the investigation of internal domain structures in nontransparent samples, the study of the fine structure of the walls inside the specimen, the examination of stress fields around domain walls, and the observation of domain interaction with other lattice defects.