Imaging Microstructures, Defects, and Magnetic Domains

Like all materials, the properties and behavior of magnets are determined by their microstructure. So, the performance of a particular magnetic material in electric vehicle motors or sensors will depend on the chemical and structural environment and the type and presence of any defects.

As a scientist, your goal is to understand the connection between a magnet’s performance and its structure - so you can improve magnetic materials to meet the growing demand. The problem is that fabricating these environments, as well as controlling them, is incredibly challenging. It’s also difficult to image magnetic materials under an electron microscope, since the magnetic field directly influences the electron beam and causes image distortion.

ZEISS light and electron microscopes provide you with the capability to image microstructures, defects, and magnetic domain structures in permanent magnets. Field-free imaging provided by Gemini optics allows (demagnetized) bulk magnetic materials to be imaged successfully with electron microscopy, revealing critical microstructural details. Kerr microscopy allows for optical microscope solutions to image magnetic domain distributions, providing insight into the structures generating the magnetic fields.  

ZEISS has a complete portfolio of light and electron microscopes for magnetic material analysis. Discover how you can push your research forward and develop future magnetic technology.