Component selection in time-resolved magneto-optical wide-field imaging for the investigation of magnetic microstructures

We report on a component-selective and vectorial magneto-optical imaging setup for the visualization of magnetization processes with picosecond temporal resolution. The stable imaging setup is suitable for the investigation of high excitation frequency magnetization dynamics, including domain wall motion, precession of magnetization, and spin-waves. The orthogonally aligned in-plane and out-of-plane components of magnetization are separated by untangling the superpositioned longitudinal and polar magneto-optical effects. Combining images obtained with varying plane and angle of incidence of illumination allow for the quantitative and time-dependent extraction of the spatial magnetization response. The capabilities of the setup are demonstrated with the phase-locked imaging of spin precession and spin-waves in a structured Co40Fe40B20 thin film at the precessional frequency of the magnetic microstructure at 1.9 GHz.