Imaging and colour coding of magnetic domains by kerr scanning optical microscopy

The imaging of ferromagnetic domains by the transverse Kerr effect using a scanning optical microscope (SOM) with two or four directions of light incidence (± x, ± y) allows the digital record of the By and Bx components of the magnetic induction B. These components can be used to calculate a two-dimensional colour-coded map of B, which can be superposed by vector arrows.