Monopolelike probes for quantitative magnetic force microscopy: Calibration and application

A local magnetization measurement was performed by magnetic force microscopy (MFM) to determine magnetization in domains of an exchange coupled (Co/Pt)/Co/Ru multilayer with predominant perpendicular anisotropy. The quantitative MFM measurements were conducted with an iron-filled carbon nanotube tip, which is shown to behave like a monopole. As a result we determined an additional in-plane magnetization component of the multilayer, which is explained by estimating the effective permeability of the sample within the mu*-method. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3528340]