The Verwey transition observed by spin-resolved photoemission electron microscopy

We have imaged the magnetic domains on magnetite (001) through the Verwey transition by means of spin-resolved photoemission electron microscopy. A He laboratory source is used for illumination. The magnetic domains walls above the Verwey transition are aligned with ¿110¿ in-plane directions. Below the Verwey transition, the domain structure is interpreted as arising from a distribution of areas with different monoclinic c-axis, with linear 180° domain walls within each area and ragged edges when the magnetic domain boundaries coincide with structural domain walls. The domains evolve above the Verwey transition, while they are static below.Peer Reviewe