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Observation of magnetic domains in uniaxial magnets via small-angle electron diffraction and Foucault imaging

Observation of magnetic domains is important in understanding the magnetic properties of magnetic materials and devices. In this study, we report that the magnetic domains of M-type hexaferrites with uniaxial anisotropy can be visualized via small-angle electron diffraction and Foucault imaging. The position of the diffraction pattern spots has the same period as that of magnetic domains in a Sc-substituted hexaferrite (BaFe$_{12-x-δ}$Sc$_x$Mg$_δ$O$_{19}$). Conversely, the spots were observed four times longer than the period of magnetic domains in hexaferrite without substitution (BaFe$_{12}$O$_{19}$), demonstrating the long-range order of the Bloch walls. When the specimen was tilted, the magnetic deflection effect, as well as the periodic spots of magnetic domains, occurred. Thus, we were able to visualize the magnetic domains with different magnetization directions and domain orientations by selecting deflection spots. The results indicate that the technique utilized in this study is useful in observing the magnetic materials with uniaxial anisotropy.