SEM investigation of the temperature dependence of magnetic domain structure of cobalt monocrystals

Abstract The magnetic domain structure of a cobalt monocrystal is observed by means of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). It is revealed by the so-called type-I magnetic contrast [1]. The dependence of the magnetic domain structure on temperature up to about 700 K is investigated and discussed. Digital image processing (image restoration, enhancement and analysis) is used on the images obtained directly from the SEM. The main reasons for the application of digital image processing are: poor resolution of type-I magnetic contrast due to the diffuseness of the leakage magnetic fields above the specimen surface, and the complex character of the magnetic domain structure. Statistical distributions of magnetic domain width are also calculated and presented.