Studying nanomagnets and magnetic heterostructures with X-ray PEEM at the Swiss Light Source

Highlights: ► Time resolved PEEM set up using a femtosecond laser as the pump pulse. ► Magnetization vectometry based on advanced computer algorithms enables the determination of the in-plane and out-of-plane magnetization directions in micro and nanostructures. ► Special sample holders allow measurements in applied magnetic fields to study the hysteresis loop of nanoparticles and to image in up to 40 mT out-of-plane magnetic fields. -- Abstract: Polarization dependent X-ray absorption spectroscopy and microscopy enables the element selective investigation of magnetic systems at the nanoscale. At the Swiss Light Source a photoemission electron microscope is used for the study of a broad variety of systems. Here, a review of recent activities is presented with a focus on instrumental and analytical developments. A new procedure for the 3 dimensional determination of the magnetization vector has been developed, and is demonstrated for GdFeCo microstructures displaying in-plane and out-of-plane domains, and sub-20 nm Fe nanoparticles. The recent progress for measurements in applied magnetic fields is presented and a new set-up for time-resolved measurements employing femtosecond laser pulses is described.