Some Methods for Improving the Quality of Magnetic Force Microscopy Images

Abstract

Some factors affecting the quality of magnetic force microscopy images are considered. The main attention is paid to the deterioration of the quality of scans caused by contamination of the probe. It is shown that contamination can occur both during scanning and during storage of the probe. These two different sources of contamination show up differently in images, and different methods must be used to eliminate them. A likely source of probe contamination is the gel used in probe storage and shipping boxes. The magnetic coating of cantilevers can be a catalyst for a chemical reaction leading to the formation of liquid hydrocarbons. The liquid contaminants act as probe functionalizers. When the probe is moved away from the surface, mechanical bonds can be maintained between them due to the molecular chains adsorbed on the probe. Depending on the degree of pollution, the presence of such a connection can lead either to the appearance of stripes in the image of the magnetic structure, or to the complete disappearance of the magnetic contrast. A modification of the standard procedure for magnetic measurements, i.e., the introduction of an additional bounce into the two-pass technique (lift mode), makes it possible to completely eliminate the parasitic influence of this effect.