Scanning probe microscopy techniques are capable of providing nanoscale, spatially resolved information of a sample’s surface. Far from just topography, when combined with a magnetically coated tip such as in the case of magnetic force microscopy, they are also capable of studying locally resolved magnetic behaviours. The drawbacks, however, are clear – namely the question of how broadly can a locally resolved understanding be applied to the macroscopic properties of a material system? Multiferroics are a class of materials that exhibit more than one form of ferroic ordering – i.e. a spontaneous strain (ferroelasticity), electrical polarisation (ferroelectricity) or magnetisation (ferromagnetism). When more than one ferroic ordering is present, there is the potential for them to interact with each other to different extents, both on a local and global scale. This talk will use the vibrant playground of multiferroic materials to explore the local limitations of scanning probe microscopy, and what tricks we have in the toolbox to attain a more representative understanding from beneath the tip.
The seminar will be chaired by Marek Paściak, Department of Dielectrics.