Local magneto-optical Kerr effect imaging by scanning near-field optical microscope in reflection-mode

A method for local magneto-optical Kerr effect imaging based on a home-made scanning near-field optical microscope working in reflection mode is presented. Shear force detection is carried out by using a symmetric piezoelectric bimorph sensor, which provides an easy way not only for probe-surface distance control but also for imaging. Polarization-preserving fiber probes used as a local optical detector are fabricated with a heating-pulling technique and the probes' polarization properties are measured. Shear force topographic and near-field magneto-optical images of magneto-optical disk taken with the proposed method are shown.