Magnetic microstructure of the (0001) surface of hcp cobalt

The magnetic domain structure of the (0001) surface of a hcp cobalt crystal was investigated using scanning electron microscopy with polarization analysis (SEMPA). This is the first observation by SEMPA of both out-of-plane and in-plane magnetization components. The perpendicular magnetization imaged with SEMPA showed a branched structure very similar to that previously observed by magneto-optic Kerr microscopy. In addition, a previously unobserved in-plane magnetic substructure was measured. The in-plane magnetization is divided into well-defined submicron domains that appear to reflect the sixfold symmetry of the crystal surface.