Magnetic domain structure of a La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (001) surface observed by a spin-polarized scanning electron microscope

The magnetization vector distribution at a cleaved surface of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (001) crystal has been quantitatively analyzed by using a newly developed low-temperature spin-polarized scanning electron microscope. The magnetic structure essentially consists of two kinds of domains, where magnetizations are parallel or antiparallel to the [110] direction with no surface-normal component. The rhombus-shaped domains range from a few to several tens of micrometers across. The domain structure can be considered to be made by laying down the magnetization from the out-of-surface-plane easy axis to the surface plane to reduce the magnetostatic energy without forming closure domains.