Processing system, manufacturing method, processing method, and program for soft magnetic material

Abstract

A processing device (200) derives, on the basis of a comparison result between a region to be compared and a template image (410), magnetic domain information in pixels (520) to be compared in the region (510) to be compared.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a processing system, a soft magnetic material, The manufacturing method of This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-032148, filed on March 2, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, magnetic domain information in magnetic bodies such as oriented electromagnetic steel sheets and non-oriented electromagnetic steel sheets is important in the evaluation of magnetic bodies, for example, it is used to estimate the properties of the magnetic body. Magnetic domain information is information that indicates the characteristics of the magnetic domain. For example, the magnetic domain information includes at least one of the width of the magnetic domain and the direction in which the magnetic domain extends (in the following description, the width of the magnetic domain is referred to as the magnetic domain width as necessary, and the direction in which the magnetic domain extends is referred to as the magnetic domain direction as necessary). For example, the magnetic domain width is a factor that greatly affects the abnormal eddy current loss of the magnetic body. It is possible to estimate the iron loss of the magnetic body from the distribution of the magnetic domain width in the magnetic body. Such magnetic domain information can also be obtained by analyzing a magnetic domain image (see Patent Document 1). A magnetic domain image is an image in which the measurement result of the direction of the magnetic moment at each position in the magnetic body to be evaluated is converted into pixel values ​​and visualized. This magnetic domain image is usually a striped pattern image. In a magnetic domain image, the width of stripes may change depending on the position within the magnetic domain image, the width of stripes may change irregularly within the magnetic domain image, or the magnetic domain image may contain noise such as unclear areas (see Figure 3 below). It is not easy to obtain magnetic domain information from such locations within a magnetic domain image. Therefore, a technology is required to obtain magnetic domain information from a magnetic domain image without being affected by these factors as much as possible.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses the following: First, a plurality of partial regions (rectangular regions) corresponding to different positions of the magnetic domain image are cut out from the magnetic domain image. A two-dimensional Fourier transform is applied to each partial region thus cut out from the magnetic domain image to calculate the spatial frequency components of each partial region. Then, the magnetic domain width and magnetic domain direction are calculated based on the spatial frequency components. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-169979 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, since a Fourier transform is performed, the accuracy of the magnetic domain information is limited by the resolution due to Nyquist's sampling theorem. In addition, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, if the pixel values ​​change periodically in the magnetic domain image, a position that is not a magnetic domain may be recognized as a magnetic domain. Specifically, the width of stripes that exist locally due to noise or the like may also be calculated as the magnetic domain width (for stripes that exist locally due to noise or the like, see also region NR in FIG. 6 described later). Therefore, the technology described in Patent Document 1 may be significantly affected by the above-mentioned factors. Therefore, the technology described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that there is a risk that accurate information cannot be obtained as magnetic domain information.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to derive magnetic domain information from a magnetic domain image with higher accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The processing system of the present disclosure is a processing system for deriving magnetic domain information of a magnetic domain image to be processed, This is a part of the magnetic domain that is being imaged.An image having a comparison region and the magnetic domain information. 2 The apparatus comprises a comparison unit which compares the above template images with the compared region, and a magnetic domain information derivation unit which derives the magnetic domain information in the compared region based on the result of the comparison, wherein there are a plurality of template images which the comparison unit can compare with the compared region, the plurality of template images which the comparison unit can compare with the compared region have mutually different magnetic domain information, and the magnetic domain information is quantitative information which indicates the characteristics of the magnetic domains.

[0008] The processing system according to the present disclosure may further include a processing unit that performs processing based on the magnetic domain information derived by the magnetic domain information derivation unit. In this case, the magnetic domain information may include a magnetic domain width. The processing unit may derive information representing a frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width derived from one of the magnetic domain images or a plurality of the magnetic domain images as the magnetic domain image to be processed. The processing unit may perform processing for adjusting the magnetic domain width of the soft magnetic material based on the information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width. The processing unit may perform processing for adjusting the magnetic domain width of the soft magnetic material based on a representative value of the magnetic domain width in the information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width. The representative value may be a mode value.

[0009] Soft magnetic material of the present disclosure The manufacturing method of the present invention includes a step of irradiating a soft magnetic material with laser light or an electron beam having an intensity determined by the processing unit of a processing system, and in information representing a frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width derived by the processing unit, the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width is 200 μm or more and less than 400 μm.

[0012] The processing method of the present disclosure is a processing method for deriving magnetic domain information of a magnetic domain image to be processed, This is a part of the magnetic domain that is being imaged. An image having a comparison region and the magnetic domain information. 2 The method comprises a comparison step of comparing the above template image with the compared region, and a magnetic domain information derivation step of deriving the magnetic domain information in the compared region based on the result of the comparison, wherein there are a plurality of template images that can be compared with the compared region in the comparison step, the plurality of template images that can be compared with the compared region in the comparison step have magnetic domain information that differs from one another, and the magnetic domain information is quantitative information that indicates the characteristics of the magnetic domains.

[0013] The program of the present disclosure causes a computer to function as each part of the processing system. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a first example of the configuration of a processing system. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a processing device. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a first example of a functional configuration of the processing device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a magnetic domain image. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first example of a template image group. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram conceptually showing an example of a technique for comparing a compared region with a template image. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining why regions that are not magnetic domains are difficult to detect as magnetic domains. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is a flowchart illustrating a first example of a processing method. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a flowchart continuing from FIG. 7A. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a second example of a template image group. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the functional configuration of the processing device. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10A is a diagram showing an example of a histogram of magnetic domain widths. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10B is a diagram showing an example of a function of the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of the processing method. [Figure 12A] FIG. 12A is a diagram showing a magnetic domain image used in this calculation example. [Figure 12B] FIG. 12B is a diagram showing the calculation results of the magnetic domain width in this calculation example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the term "same length, position, size, interval, etc. of a comparison target" includes not only cases where the length, position, size, interval, etc. are exactly the same, but also cases where the length, position, size, interval, etc. are different within the scope of the present disclosure (for example, cases where the length, position, size, interval, etc. are different within the scope of the present disclosure) without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0016] (First embodiment) First, the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a processing system. In FIG. 1, the processing system of this embodiment creates a magnetic domain image of a magnetic body S, and derives magnetic domain information of a portion of the magnetic body S corresponding to this magnetic domain image based on the magnetic domain image. The magnetic domain information is information indicating characteristics of a magnetic domain. The magnetic domain information includes, for example, at least one of magnetic domain width and magnetic domain direction. In this embodiment, a case is illustrated in which the magnetic domain information is quantitative information (numerical information). However, the magnetic domain information may be qualitative information (information other than a numerical value (for example, information indicating the degree of long or short)). The magnetic domain information may also be information that can be determined at a certain time. In the present embodiment, the processing system in FIG. 1 includes a magnetic domain image acquisition device 100 and a processing device 200. As shown in FIG.

[0017] <Magnetic domain image acquisition device 100> The magnetic domain image acquisition device 100 is a device that acquires a magnetic domain image of a magnetic body S. In the magnetic domain image, the direction of the magnetic moment measured at each position in the measurement target area of ​​the magnetic body S is converted into a value corresponding to the direction. The value of each pixel (pixel value) of the magnetic domain image is expressed by a value corresponding to the direction of the magnetic moment measured at the position corresponding to the pixel. The pixel value of each pixel included in the magnetic domain image takes either two or more values ​​(gradation values) that can distinguish the directions of the magnetic moments different from each other, or two or more values ​​(gradation values) that can distinguish the degree of difference between the directions of the magnetic moments different from each other. FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the magnetic domain image acquisition device 100 includes a light source 110, a polarizer 120, an analyzer 130, an optical system 140, a magneto-optical element 150, and a camera 160.

[0018] The light source 110 includes, for example, a light emitting diode, and outputs light. The polarizer 120 passes light (linearly polarized light L1) with a uniform polarization plane from the light output from the light source 110. The magneto-optical element 150 is irradiated with the linearly polarized light L1.

[0019] The magneto-optical element 150 is an element (sensor) that detects the structure of the magnetic body S by utilizing the Faraday effect. The magneto-optical element 150 includes, for example, a transparent substrate, a magneto-optical film, and a reflective film. The magneto-optical film and the reflective film are laminated in this order on the transparent substrate. The magneto-optical element is also called an MO sensor.

[0020] The magnetic body S is placed on the reflective film side of the magneto-optical element 150. A leakage magnetic field is generated from the magnetic body S according to the direction of the magnetic moment inside the magnetic body S. This leakage magnetic field is applied to the magneto-optical film of the magneto-optical element 150. The polarization plane of the linearly polarized light L1 that enters the inside of the magneto-optical element 150 from the transparent substrate side is Faraday rotated in the magneto-optical film at an angle according to the magnitude of the leakage magnetic field from the magnetic body S (this angle is called the Faraday rotation angle). The light with the rotated polarization plane is reflected by the reflective film. The polarization plane of the light reflected by the reflective film is again Faraday rotated in the magneto-optical film. In this way, the reflected light L2 with the polarization plane rotated according to the magnitude of the leakage magnetic field from the magnetic body S is emitted from the magneto-optical element 150 toward the camera 160.

[0021] The polarizer 120 and the analyzer 130 are placed so that their transmission axes are mutually orthogonal (crossed Nicols). The reflected light L2 is imaged by an optical system 140 including an imaging lens and the like, and then enters the analyzer 130. Of the light that enters the analyzer 130, light with an intensity according to the Faraday rotation angle of the polarization plane of the reflected light L2 passes through the analyzer 130 and enters the camera 160.

[0022] The camera 160 includes, for example, an image sensor and an image processing circuit. In this embodiment, light with an intensity corresponding to the direction of the leakage magnetic field from the magnetic body S is incident on the light receiving elements of the image sensor. The image sensor converts the light incident on the light receiving elements into an electrical signal. The image processing circuit performs known image processing for generating an image signal on the electrical signal corresponding to the light incident on each light receiving element of the image sensor, thereby creating a magnetic domain image having pixel values ​​corresponding to the direction of the magnetic moment of the magnetic body S.

[0023] The image sensor may include a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) image sensor, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, or other image sensors. In this embodiment, the magnetic domain image is a two-dimensional image. Therefore, the image sensor of the camera 160 is preferably an area sensor in which a plurality of light receiving elements are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix. However, this is not necessarily required. For example, the image sensor of the camera 160 may be a linear sensor in which a plurality of light receiving elements are arranged in a straight line. When the image sensor of the camera 160 is a linear sensor, for example, a two-dimensional magnetic domain image may be obtained by scanning the linear sensor in a direction perpendicular to the installation direction of the plurality of light receiving elements.

[0024] A magnetic domain image of a magnetic body (soft magnetic material) from which a magnetic domain image is to be acquired is captured after the magnetic body is demagnetized. In this embodiment, a case where the magnetic flux density in the magnetic body attenuates according to the following formula (1) during demagnetization is illustrated. In this case, the magnetic body is demagnetized in 30 seconds. Therefore, in this embodiment, a case where the magnetic domain image acquisition device 100 captures (acquires) a magnetic domain image at a timing when 30 seconds have elapsed since the magnetic flux density starts to attenuate according to the following formula (1) is illustrated. In this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the magnetic domain image is assumed to be captured at such a timing. B=1.9e -0.2t cos0.75πt (1) Here, B is the magnetic flux density (T) and t is time (sec).

[0025] The magnetic domain image acquisition device 100 can be realized by a known technique described in Patent Document 1 and the like. Therefore, the magnetic domain image acquisition device 100 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 1. Also, as long as a magnetic domain image having pixel values ​​according to the direction of the magnetic moment at each measurement position in a measurement target area such as a magnetic body S can be obtained, it is not necessarily required to obtain the magnetic domain image according to the principle described with reference to Fig. 1.

[0026] <Processing device 200> The processing device 200 performs processing including deriving magnetic domain information for a part or the whole of the magnetic body S based on the magnetic domain image acquired by the magnetic domain image acquisition device 100. The magnetic body S is, for example, a soft magnetic body such as a directional electromagnetic steel sheet or a non-directional electromagnetic steel sheet. The shape of the magnetic body S may or may not be a plate shape. FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the processing device 200.

[0027] The processing device 200 has, as hardware, one or more hardware processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and one or more memories such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The processing device 200 executes various calculations by, for example, executing one or more programs stored in the memory using one or more hardware processors.

[0028] Furthermore, an input device 220 and an output device 230 are connected to the processing device 200 so as to be able to communicate with the processing device 200. The communication between the processing device 200 and the input device 220 and the output device 230 may be wired communication or wireless communication. The processing device 200 may also include the input device 220 and the output device 230.

[0029] Furthermore, the processing device 200 may be realized by dedicated hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0030] The hardware of the processing device 200 may be realized, for example, as shown in Fig. 2A . In Fig. 2A , the processing device 200 has a CPU 2001, a main memory device 2002, an auxiliary memory device 2003, a communication circuit 2004, a signal processing circuit 2005, an image processing circuit 2006, an I / F circuit 2007, and a bus 2008.

[0031] The CPU 2001 controls the entire processing device 200. The CPU 2001 uses the main memory device 2002 as a work area to execute programs stored in the auxiliary memory device 2003. The main memory device 2002 temporarily stores data. The auxiliary memory device 2003 stores various types of data in addition to the programs executed by the CPU 2001.

[0032] The communication circuit 2004 is a circuit for communicating with the outside of the processing device 200. The communication circuit 2004 may perform wireless communication with the outside of the processing device 200, may perform wired communication, or may perform communication via a network.

[0033] The signal processing circuit 2005 performs various signal processing operations on signals received by the communication circuit 2004 and signals input under the control of the CPU 2001 . The image processing circuit 2006 performs various types of image processing on the input signal under the control of the CPU 2001. The signal that has undergone this image processing is output to, for example, an output device 230 (display).

[0034] The I / F circuit 2007 exchanges data with devices connected to the I / F circuit 2007. Examples of devices connected to the I / F circuit 2007 include at least one of the input device 220 and the output device 230 shown in Fig. 2A. However, the devices connected to the I / F circuit 2007 are not limited to these.

[0035] The CPU 2001, the main memory device 2002, the auxiliary memory device 2003, the signal processing circuit 2005, the image processing circuit 2006, and the I / F circuit 2007 are connected to a bus 2008. Communication between these components is performed via the bus 2008. Furthermore, the hardware of the processing device 110 is not limited to the hardware shown in Fig. 2A as long as it can realize the functions of the processing device 200. For example, a GPU may be used as a processor instead of or in addition to the CPU 2001.

[0036] Next, an example of the functional configuration of the processing device 200 will be described. <<Acquisition part 211>> The acquiring unit 211 acquires a magnetic domain image to be processed and pre-acquired information. The pre-acquired information is information that needs to be acquired in advance in order for the processing device 200 to derive magnetic domain information of the magnetic body S. In this embodiment, a case is illustrated in which the pre-acquired information includes template setting information and threshold information.

[0037] In this embodiment, a case is illustrated in which the acquisition unit 211 acquires a magnetic domain image created by the camera 160 from the input device 220. In addition, in this embodiment, a case is illustrated in which the camera 160 and the input device 220 perform wired communication via a communication cable.

[0038] In this case, the input device 220 includes a receiving device. In this embodiment, the acquisition unit 211 acquires the magnetic domain image received by the input device 220. However, the acquisition unit 211 does not necessarily need to acquire the magnetic domain image in this manner. For example, the acquisition unit 211 may acquire the magnetic domain image by wireless communication between the camera 160 and the input device 220 using a wireless communication device included in the camera 160 or a wireless communication device (not shown) connected to the camera 160. The processing device 200 may also include at least a part of the functions of the camera 160. In this case, the acquisition unit 211 may acquire the magnetic domain image by creating it as described above.

[0039] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a magnetic domain image 300. In FIG. 3, the magnetic domain image 300 is illustrated as an example in which the magnetic body S is a grain-oriented electromagnetic steel sheet. In the following description, the horizontal direction of the magnetic domain image 300 is the x-axis direction, and the vertical direction is the y-axis direction. In FIG. 3, for convenience of notation, coordinates are shown at a position away from the magnetic domain image 300. However, in this embodiment, a case is illustrated in which the position of the origin of the coordinate system is the position of the lower left corner of the magnetic domain image 300. In addition, in each figure including FIG. 3, an xy two-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system and a polar coordinate system (circular coordinates) are shown together. In addition, it is assumed that the origin of the coordinate system is set to the position of the lower left corner of the image in the same way in each image other than the magnetic domain image 300 (template images 410, 810 and a comparison region 510 to be described later).

[0040] In the present embodiment, the magnetic domain image 300 is illustrated as a grayscale image (for example, an image having gradation values ​​of 0 to 255 as pixel values ​​in the case of an 8-bit image). However, the magnetic domain image 300 is not limited to a grayscale image. For example, the magnetic domain image 300 may be a color image or a binary image.

[0041] The magnetic body S shown in the magnetic domain image 300 shown in FIG. 3 includes a plurality of magnetic domains. In this embodiment, the magnetic domains are arranged approximately in the x-axis direction. In addition, in this embodiment, the magnetic moments of the magnetic domains are arranged approximately in the y-axis direction. In addition, in this embodiment, the magnetic moments of the magnetic domains are arranged alternately in opposite directions along the x-axis direction. That is, in the magnetic domain image 300 in FIG. 3, each of the regions with relatively large gradation values ​​(light white regions in FIG. 3) and the regions with relatively small gradation values ​​(dark black regions in FIG. 3) is a magnetic domain.

[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates an example in which each magnetic domain extends approximately in the y-axis direction. FIG. 3 illustrates an example in which magnetic domains represented in white and magnetic domains represented in black are alternately arranged approximately along the x-axis direction. In this case, the boundary of the region (region in which the concentration is inverted) indicates a 180° magnetic wall. However, due to factors such as the presence of magnetic domains whose magnetic moment direction is not parallel to the y-axis and the presence of noise in the magnetic domain image 300, as shown in FIG. 3, the pixel value of the magnetic domain image 300 may show a grayscale value other than the minimum grayscale value and the maximum grayscale value, or the magnetic domain direction in the magnetic domain image 300 may not be a specific direction (for example, a direction parallel to the y-axis). Also, as illustrated in the region NR in FIG. 3, a region that looks like a magnetic domain may exist in the magnetic domain image 300 when viewed locally. The magnetic domain image may include 90° magnetic domains in addition to or instead of the 180° magnetic domains.

[0043] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 2B, as described above, in this embodiment, a case is exemplified in which the acquisition unit 211 acquires template setting information in addition to the magnetic domain image 300. As described later in the section <<Comparison unit 213>>, in this embodiment, a case is exemplified in which the processing device 200 compares a compared region of the magnetic domain image 300 with each of a plurality of template images. The template setting information is information necessary for creating a plurality of template images. Note that the timing at which the acquisition unit 211 acquires the template information is not limited. The acquisition unit 211 may acquire the template information in advance before acquiring the magnetic domain image 300, or may acquire the template information after acquiring the magnetic domain image 300.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a template image group 400 including a plurality of template images 410. In FIG. 4, for convenience of notation, the reference numeral (410) is attached to only one template image. In the following description, the magnetic domain corresponding to the region with a small gradation value (the region with a high density in FIG. 3) is referred to as the first magnetic domain as necessary. In the following description, the magnetic domain corresponding to the region with a large gradation value (the region with a low density in FIG. 3) is referred to as the second magnetic domain as necessary. In addition, the first magnetic domain and the second magnetic domain do not need to be defined as such magnetic domains as long as the magnetic moment directions are different from each other. For example, the magnetic domain corresponding to the region with a large gradation value (the region with a low density in FIG. 3) may be defined as the first magnetic domain, and the magnetic domain corresponding to the region with a small gradation value (the region with a high density in FIG. 3) may be defined as the second magnetic domain. In this case, the density (black and white regions) in FIG. 4 may be reversed, and the first magnetic domain may be regarded as the white region in the following description of FIG. 4.

[0045] FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which all template images 410 included in the template image group 400 have the same size and shape. Specifically, FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which all template images 410 are rectangular with the same long and short sides. The length of the short side of the template image 410 (length in the x-axis direction) may be longer than the maximum width assumed to be the magnetic domain width of the magnetic body S, for example. Also, the length of the long side of the template image 410 (length in the y-axis direction) may be, for example, 1.2 times or more (preferably 1.5 times or more) and 3 times or less (preferably 2 times or less) the maximum width assumed to be the magnetic domain width of the magnetic body S. However, the shape of the template image 410 is not limited to a rectangle, and may be, for example, a square.

[0046] In Fig. 4, w is the width of the first magnetic domain (black region) shown in the template image 410. Fig. 4 illustrates a case where the template image group 400 includes multiple template images with the same magnetic domain width but different magnetic domain directions of the first magnetic domains. Specifically, in Fig. 4, w 1 Next to it, the domain width w of the first domain is w 1In FIG. 4, multiple template images 410 are shown, each of which is the same but has different magnetic domain directions. 2 , w 3 , , w p Next to each, the domain width w of the first domain is w 2 , w 3 , , w p In FIG. 4, the maximum value of the magnetic domain width of the first magnetic domain shown in the template image 410 is w 1 and the minimum value is w p In FIG. 4, w 1 , w p The (max) and (min) below indicate this.

[0047] In addition, in FIG. 4, the domain width w of the first domain is w 1 ~w p 1. The width of the first magnetic domain is shifted by a predetermined width step Δw in the range of 1. However, it is not necessary to determine the magnetic domain width w of the first magnetic domain in this manner. For example, the width step Δw does not have to be a constant value. In this embodiment, the resolution of the magnetic domain width w calculated based on the magnetic domain image 300 is determined by the width step Δw. For example, when increasing the accuracy of the magnetic domain width w is prioritized over reducing the calculation load, the width step Δw is made small, and conversely, when reducing the calculation load of the magnetic domain width w is prioritized over increasing the accuracy of the magnetic domain width w, the width step Δw is made large. Therefore, in this embodiment, the resolution of the magnetic domain width w can be adjusted by an operator, and is not limited by the calculation principle such as the Nyquist sampling theorem described in the section on the problem to be solved by the invention.

[0048] In this embodiment, the magnetic domain width w of the first magnetic domain can be adjusted by an operator. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the magnetic domain image 300 includes both magnetic domains with a wide magnetic domain width and magnetic domains with a narrow magnetic domain width, the magnetic domain width w of these magnetic domains can be derived without changing the settings for deriving magnetic domain information. In contrast, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, when the magnetic domain image 300 includes both magnetic domains with a wide magnetic domain width and magnetic domains with a narrow magnetic domain width, if a window function corresponding to the magnetic domain with a wide magnetic domain width is set, the magnetic domain with a narrow magnetic domain width may not be derived with high accuracy, or the magnetic domain with a narrow magnetic domain width may not be derived at all. For this reason, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, multiple window functions corresponding to the magnetic domain width must be set.

[0049] In Fig. 4, θ is an angle representing the magnetic domain direction of the first magnetic domain (black region) shown in the template image 410. The magnetic domain direction is a direction perpendicular to the magnetic domain width direction on the observation surface (the surface of the template image 410) (in other words, the magnetic domain width direction is a direction perpendicular to the magnetic domain direction on the observation surface). In the following description, the angle representing the magnetic domain direction will be referred to as the magnetic domain angle θ as necessary. In Fig. 4, θ 1 Below, the domain angle θ of the first domain is θ 1 Similarly, θ 2 , θ 3 , , θ q Below, the magnetic domain angle θ of the first magnetic domain is θ 2 , θ 3 , , θ q 4 shows a template image 410 in which the magnetic domain angle θ of the first magnetic domain is expressed as an angle (right-handed angle) starting from a straight line pointing in the positive direction of the x-axis and with the counterclockwise direction on the paper as the positive direction. As described above, the origin of the coordinate system shown in FIG. 4 is the position of the lower left corner of each template image 410. Therefore, in FIG. 4, the magnetic domain angle θ of the first magnetic domain is expressed as an angle (right-handed angle) starting from a straight line pointing in the positive direction of the x-axis and with the counterclockwise direction as the positive direction on the paper as the positive direction. As described above, the origin of the coordinate system shown in FIG. 4 is the position of the lower left corner of each template image 410. 1 is 90° (in Fig. 4, θ 1 The (=90°) next to it indicates this.

[0050] FIG. 4 illustrates a case where the magnetic domain angle θ of the first magnetic domain is an angle shifted by a predetermined angle step Δθ in a range of 0° or more and less than 180°. For example, when the angle step Δθ is 5°, the magnetic domain angle θ of the first magnetic domain is 0°, 5°, 10°, . . . , 170°, and 175°. However, it is not necessary to determine the magnetic domain angle θ of the first magnetic domain in this manner. For example, the angle step Δθ does not have to be a constant value. Also, the range of the magnetic domain angle θ of the first magnetic domain may be narrower than the range of 0° or more and less than 180°. In this embodiment, a case where the resolution of the magnetic domain angle θ calculated based on the magnetic domain image 300 is determined by the angle step Δθ is illustrated. Therefore, in this embodiment, the resolution of the magnetic domain angle θ can be adjusted by an operator, similar to the magnetic domain width w, and is not limited by a calculation principle such as the Nyquist sampling theorem described in the section on the problem to be solved by the invention. In addition, if the shape of the first magnetic domain in template image 410 differs between when the magnetic domain angle θ is in the range of 0° or more and 180° or less and when the magnetic domain angle θ is in the range of 180° or more and 360° or less, the magnetic domain angle θ may be in the range of 0° or more and less than 360°.

[0051] FIG. 4 also illustrates a case where the shape of the first magnetic domain (black region) in the template image 410 is a rectangle when the magnetic domain angle θ is n×90° (n is 0, 1) and the position of the center of gravity of the rectangle coincides with the position of the center of gravity of the template image 410. FIG. 4 also illustrates a case where the shape of the first magnetic domain in the case where the magnetic domain angle θ is other than n×90° is a shape obtained by rotating the first magnetic domain in the case where the magnetic domain angle θ is n×90° (n is 0, 1) by θ° around the position of the center of gravity (however, in this case, the end of the magnetic domain direction of the first magnetic domain (black region) coincides with the end of the template image 410). However, the size and shape of the first magnetic domain in the template image are not limited to these. For example, the shape of the first magnetic domain in the template image may be a square or an ellipse. When the shape of the first magnetic domain in the template image is an ellipse, for example, the minor axis of the ellipse may be the magnetic domain width of the first magnetic domain in the template image. The direction of the major axis of the ellipse may be the magnetic domain direction of the first magnetic domain in the template image.

[0052] In addition, in this embodiment, a case is exemplified in which the pixel value of the first magnetic domain in the template image 410 is the minimum gradation value (=0) and the pixel value of the second magnetic domain is the maximum gradation value (=255). However, the pixels of the first magnetic domain in the template image 410 may include pixels with pixel values ​​exceeding the minimum gradation value. Furthermore, the pixels of the second magnetic domain in the template image 410 may include pixels with pixel values ​​below the maximum gradation value. Furthermore, the pixel value of the first magnetic domain in the template image 410 may be made different depending on the location of the first magnetic domain. Similarly, the pixel value of the second magnetic domain in the template image 410 may be made different depending on the location of the second magnetic domain.

[0053] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a magnetic domain image 300 of a magnetic body S that may have a magnetic domain structure in which magnetic domains whose magnetic moment direction is reversed in a direction generally parallel to the y axis are arranged alternately one by one in the x-axis direction is illustrated. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a case in which a plurality of template images 410 corresponding to such a magnetic domain image 300 are created is illustrated. However, the magnetic domain structure of the magnetic body S is not limited to such a magnetic domain structure. The magnetic domain image to which this embodiment is applied may be, for example, a magnetic domain image of a magnetic body S having a 90° domain wall in addition to or instead of a 180° domain wall. A template image may be prepared according to the magnetic domain structure assumed in the magnetic body S.

[0054] Furthermore, at least one of enlarging and reducing may be performed on the template image 410 included in the template image group 400. In this case, it is preferable to perform at least one of enlarging and reducing on the template image 410 so that, for example, the length in the magnetic domain direction of the magnetic domains (first magnetic domain and second magnetic domain) included in the template image 410 does not become too short.

[0055] Specifically, for example, it is preferable to enlarge the template image 410 so that the enlargement rate in the magnetic domain width direction is smaller than the enlargement rate in the magnetic domain direction. Also, it is preferable to enlarge the template image 410 so that the reduction rate in the magnetic domain width direction is smaller than the reduction rate in the magnetic domain direction. For example, this is to make it easier to distinguish between the magnetic domains (first magnetic domain and second magnetic domain) included in the template image 410 and the noise included in the magnetic domain image 300. For example, the template image 410 including the first magnetic domain with a magnetic domain angle θ of 0° may be enlarged and reduced in the magnetic domain width direction (x-axis direction in FIG. 4) without changing the length in the magnetic domain direction (y-axis direction in FIG. 4) of the template image 410 including the first magnetic domain with a magnetic domain angle θ of 0°. However, for example, the entire template image 410 may be enlarged at the same enlargement rate. Also, for example, the entire template image 410 may be reduced at the same reduction rate.

[0056] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 2B, as described above, the template setting information is information necessary for creating a plurality of template images 410. When creating the template image 410 illustrated in FIG. 4, the template setting information includes, for example, the maximum value w 1 , minimum value w p , and width step Δw. The template setting information also includes information for specifying the magnetic domain angle θ of the first magnetic domain, such as the maximum value, minimum value, and angle step Δθ of the magnetic domain angle θ of the first magnetic domain.

[0057] As described above, in this embodiment, the case where the acquisition unit 211 acquires threshold information in addition to the magnetic domain image 300 and template setting information is exemplified. The threshold information is information indicating a threshold used in the comparison unit 213 described later. The details will be described later in the section <<Comparison unit 213>>, but the threshold is a threshold for the degree of match between the compared region of the magnetic domain image 300 and the template image 410.

[0058] In this embodiment, a case is exemplified where an operator performs an operation to input information indicating template setting information and threshold information to the input device 220. In this case, the input device 220 includes a user interface. In this embodiment, a case is exemplified where the acquisition unit 211 acquires template setting information and threshold information input by an input operation to the input device 220. However, the manner in which the template setting information and threshold information are acquired is not limited. For example, the input device 220 may receive template setting information and threshold information transmitted from an external device, thereby causing the acquisition unit 211 to acquire the template setting information and threshold information. In this case, the input device 220 includes a receiving device. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 211 may acquire the template setting information and threshold information by reading out the template setting information and threshold information stored in a storage medium included in the input device 220.

[0059] <<Creation Department 212>> The creation unit 212 creates a plurality of template images 410 based on the template setting information acquired by the acquisition unit 211. In this embodiment, a case where the creation unit 212 creates a plurality of template images 410 as illustrated in FIG. 4 is exemplified. In this manner, in this embodiment, a case where the processing device 200 (creation unit 212) creates a plurality of template images 410 is exemplified. However, this is not necessarily required. For example, the acquisition unit 211 may acquire a plurality of template images 410. In this case, the acquisition unit 211 does not need to acquire template setting information. The acquisition form of the plurality of template images 410 may be the same as the acquisition form of the template setting information described in the <<acquisition unit 211>> section, for example.

[0060] <<Comparison unit 213>> The comparison unit 213 compares a compared region 510 of the magnetic domain image 300 with the template image 410 (see FIG. 5). The compared region 510 is at least a part of the magnetic domain image 300. The compared region 510 includes a compared pixel 520. The compared region 510 is, for example, a partial region (partial region) of the magnetic domain image 300 to be compared with the template image 410. The compared pixel 520 is a pixel at a position where magnetic domain information is obtained. The compared pixel 520 is set at a predetermined position (for example, the center of gravity position, hereinafter referred to as a representative position) of the compared region 510. The pixel at a position where magnetic domain information is obtained is a pixel at a position in the compared region 520 that reflects the magnetic domain information obtained by the comparison by the comparison unit 213 among the pixels of the magnetic domain image 300. The size (length and width) of the compared region 510 may be, for example, one pixel, or a group of multiple pixels. A group of multiple pixels is, for example, multiple pixels contained inside a circle, a rectangle, or a polygon having a predetermined size.

[0061] In this embodiment, the case where the compared pixel 520 is composed of one pixel is illustrated. In addition, in this embodiment, the case where magnetic domain information is obtained for each compared pixel 520 by comparison with a plurality of template images is illustrated. That is, the comparison unit 213 compares an image portion (compared region 510) including a pixel (compared pixel 520) at a position where magnetic domain information is obtained with each of the plurality of template images 410. FIG. 5 illustrates a case where there are a plurality of image portions (compared regions 510) including a pixel (compared pixel 520) at a position where magnetic domain information is obtained. In this case, the comparison unit 213 compares the compared region 510 including each of the compared pixels 520 with the template image 410. For example, when magnetic domain information is obtained over the entire magnetic domain image 300, the comparison unit 213 selects all pixels included in the entire magnetic domain image 300 as compared pixels 520, so that magnetic domain information of all pixels included in the entire magnetic domain image 300 can be obtained. For example, the comparison unit 213 may compare the compared region 510 with the template image 410 while shifting the pixels in the magnetic domain image 300 selected as the compared pixels 520 by a predetermined interval (e.g., one pixel) so that all pixels that can be selected from the template image 410 are selected as the compared pixels 520. Note that, for example, when it is sufficient to obtain magnetic domain information of a part of the magnetic domain image 300, it is sufficient to obtain the magnetic domain information of the part of the magnetic domain image 300. In this way, it is not necessary to obtain the magnetic domain information of all pixels included in the entire magnetic domain image 300.

[0062] The comparison by the comparison unit 213 provides a comparison result such as a degree of coincidence, and based on the comparison result, it is possible to obtain the magnetic domain information of the compared pixel 520 from the magnetic domain information of each template image 410. In other words, the magnetic domain information of the template image 410 obtained as a result of the comparison between the compared region 510 and the template image 410 is reflected as the magnetic domain information of the compared pixel 520 in the compared region 510, so that it is possible to obtain the magnetic domain information of the compared region 520. Note that one template image 410 may be used. In this case, for example, it may be determined whether the magnetic domain information of the compared pixel 520 to be compared is the same as that of the one template image 410 used in the comparison with the compared region 510. Also, for example, it may be determined whether the magnetic domain width of the one template image 410 used in the comparison with the compared region 510 is larger than that of the one template image 410 used in the comparison with the compared region 510. Generally, the compared region 510 includes the compared pixel 520 and its surrounding pixels. However, the compared region 510 and the compared pixel 520 may coincide with each other.

[0063] In the following description, in this embodiment, the comparison unit 213 calculates the degree of coincidence between the compared region 510 and each of the multiple template images 410 by so-called template matching (the degree of coincidence is also called similarity, etc.). More specifically, in this embodiment, the comparison unit 213 moves the compared region 510 within the scanning region 330 set in the magnetic domain image to be processed, and determines which template image 410 matches at each position. For example, the comparison unit 213 may perform the process as follows.

[0064] FIG. 5 is a diagram conceptually showing an example of a method for comparing a compared region 510 with a template image 410. In FIG. FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which pixel 411 in the upper left corner of template image 410 is located at one pixel in a rectangular scanning area 330 having opposite vertices 310 and 320, and when template image 410 is overlaid on magnetic domain image 300 so that the x-axis direction and y-axis direction of template image 410 are parallel to the x-axis direction and y-axis direction of magnetic domain image 300, respectively, the area of ​​magnetic domain image 300 overlapping with template image 410 becomes comparison area 510.

[0065] 5 illustrates an example in which the vertex 310 of the scanning area 330 is the pixel in the upper left corner of the magnetic domain image 300. In this case, the distance Δx in the x-axis direction from the vertex 320 (one of the above-mentioned opposite vertices 310, 320) of the scanning area 330 to the end of the magnetic domain image 300 in the positive direction of the x-axis is the length of the template image 410 in the x-axis direction. Also, the distance Δy in the y-axis direction from the vertex 320 of the scanning area 330 to the end of the magnetic domain image 300 in the negative direction of the y-axis is the length of the template image 410 in the y-axis direction.

[0066] The comparison unit 213 sets the compared region 510 for one pixel of the scanning region 330 in the above manner. The comparison unit 213 also sets the pixel at the representative position of the compared region 510 as the compared pixel 520 of the compared region 510. FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which the representative position is the center of gravity position. However, the representative position is not limited to the center of gravity position. The representative position may be, for example, the position of the upper left corner. FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which the compared region 510 is defined for the pixel at the position of the vertex 310 at the upper left corner of the scanning region 330.

[0067] Then, the comparison unit 213 calculates the degree of match between the compared region 510 and each of the multiple template images 410. As the degree of match, an index generally used in template matching may be used. For example, the degree of match may be SSD (Sum of Squared Difference) or SAD (Sum of Absolute Difference). Note that SAD is the sum of the absolute values ​​of the differences between the pixel values ​​of the template image 410 and the pixel values ​​of the compared region 510. Also, SSD is the sum of the squares of the differences between the pixel values ​​of the template image 410 and the pixel values ​​of the compared region 510.

[0068] The comparison unit 213 does not necessarily need to calculate the degree of match as a calculation for comparing the compared region 510 and the template image 410. For example, the comparison unit 230 may calculate the degree of mismatch instead of the degree of match. For example, the degree of mismatch may be calculated by multiplying the SSD or SAD by -1.

[0069] The comparison unit 213 sets the compared region 510 for one pixel in the scanning region 330 in the above manner. Then, the comparison unit 213 calculates the degree of matching between the compared region 510 and each of the multiple template images 410. The comparison unit 213 performs such calculation of the degree of matching by selecting all pixels in the scanning region 330 one by one as the compared pixel 520. In this way, the degree of matching is calculated for all pixels in the scanning region 330. Note that if all pixels in the scanning region 330 are selected as the compared pixel 520, magnetic domain information is derived for all pixels in the scanning region 330, which is preferable. However, it is not necessary to select all pixels in the scanning region 330 as the compared pixel 520.

[0070] The order in which the comparison unit 213 selects one pixel in the scanning area 330 is not limited. For example, the pixels in the top row may be selected by shifting them by one pixel in the positive direction of the x-axis, so that the vertex 310 in the upper left corner of the scanning area 330 is selected first and the vertex 320 in the lower right corner is selected last, and then the pixels in the row below may be selected by shifting them by one pixel in the positive direction of the x-axis, and this process may be performed sequentially from the top row to the bottom row of the scanning area 330.

[0071] When the comparison unit 213 selects one pixel in the scanning region 330, the compared pixel 520 of the compared region 510 is set in a partial region 530 of the magnetic domain image 300 (the region 530 is shown in gray), and is not set in the entire region of the magnetic domain image 300. In the following description, this region 530 will be referred to as the compared pixel setting region 530 as necessary. In general, the magnetic domain image 300 is an image of a partial region of the magnetic material S. Therefore, the comparison unit 213 may calculate the degree of matching between the compared region 510 and each of the multiple template images 410 for the region of the magnetic domain image 300 other than the compared pixel setting region 530 by using another magnetic domain image (not shown) adjacent to the region. However, this is not necessarily required. For example, the comparison section 213 does not need to calculate the degree of matching between the compared region 510 and each of the multiple template images 410 for the region of the magnetic domain image 300 other than the compared pixel setting region 530 .

[0072] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a case where the magnetic domain angles θ shown in at least two of the multiple template images 410 are different is illustrated. However, this is not necessarily required. For example, in FIG. 4, 1 Only in the case of multiple magnetic domain widths w 1 ~w pA plurality of template images 410 showing the first magnetic domains of each of the first magnetic domains may be prepared as the template image group 400. In this case, the comparison unit 213 may rotate the compared region 510 by an angle step Δθ without rotating the template image 410, for example. In this case, the comparison unit 213 may make the magnetic domain direction shown in the template image 410 different from the magnetic domain direction shown in the compared region 510 by superimposing the rotated compared region 510 on the template image 410. Note that, for example, in this case, when the magnetic domain angle θ is derived without deriving the magnetic domain width w as the magnetic domain information, the number of template images 410 may be one. Furthermore, the comparison unit 213 may rotate the compared region 510 instead of or in addition to rotating the template image 410, for example.

[0073] <<Magnetic domain information derivation unit 214>> The magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 derives magnetic domain information in the compared pixel 520 of the compared region 510 based on the result of the comparison by the comparison unit 213. In this embodiment, the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 determines whether or not the comparison result between the compared region 510 and each of the multiple template images 410 satisfies a predetermined condition. In this embodiment, the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 derives magnetic domain information in the compared pixel 520 of the compared region 510 based on the magnetic domain information of the template image 410 that satisfies the predetermined condition when the predetermined condition is satisfied. The predetermined condition may be a condition that determines whether or not there is a template image 410 that matches or is similar to the compared region 510. In this embodiment, the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 determines whether or not the maximum value of the degree of matching between the compared region 510 and each of the multiple template images 410 exceeds a threshold value.

[0074] In this case, for example, when there are multiple template images 410 whose degree of matching with the compared region 510 exceeds a threshold, the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 may derive magnetic domain information of the compared pixel 520 of the compared region 510 based on the template image 410 with the highest degree of matching among the multiple template images 410. In this embodiment, a case where the magnetic domain information is the magnetic domain width w and the magnetic domain angle θ is illustrated. However, the magnetic domain information is not limited to the magnetic domain width w and the magnetic domain angle θ. For example, only one of the magnetic domain width w and the magnetic domain angle θ may be used as the magnetic domain information. In the following description, the magnetic domain information derived by the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 is simply referred to as magnetic domain information as necessary.

[0075] 4, when information on the magnetic domain width w and the magnetic domain angle θ is associated with the template image 410, the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 may derive the magnetic domain information by reading out the magnetic domain width w and the magnetic domain angle θ associated with the template image 410 having the highest degree of agreement with the compared region 510 as magnetic domain information for the compared pixel 520 of the compared region 510. Also, when information on the magnetic domain width w and the magnetic domain angle θ is not associated with the template image 410, the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 may derive the magnetic domain information by calculating the magnetic domain angle θ and the magnetic domain width w of the first magnetic domain based on the pixel value of the template image 410 having the highest degree of agreement with the compared region 510. For example, the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 may identify the boundary between the first and second magnetic domains (the region relative to the magnetic domain wall), and calculate the magnetic domain angle θ and magnetic domain width w of the first magnetic domain based on the direction in which the identified boundary extends and the length of the first magnetic domain in a direction perpendicular to that direction.

[0076] As described above, in this embodiment, a case is illustrated in which the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 derives magnetic domain information (magnetic domain width w and magnetic domain angle θ) of the compared pixel 520 of the compared region 510 when the maximum value of the degree of coincidence with the compared region 510 exceeds a threshold value. Therefore, the magnetic domain information (magnetic domain width w and magnetic domain angle θ) is derived for each pixel (compared pixel 520) of the compared pixel setting region 530 shown in Fig. 5. Note that the magnetic domain information does not necessarily or may not indicate that the magnetic domain width w and magnetic domain angle θ are those of the first magnetic domain.

[0077] On the other hand, in this embodiment, when the maximum value of the degree of coincidence with the compared region 510 does not exceed the threshold value, the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 does not derive the magnetic domain information of the compared pixel 520 of the compared region 510. In this case, the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 may set the compared pixel 520 from which the magnetic domain information has not been derived as a blank pixel indicating that the magnetic domain information has not been derived. In this way, the blank pixel is also a compared pixel, but in order to distinguish it from the compared pixel 520, the blank pixel is designated by the symbol 520' (see FIG. 6 described later).

[0078] However, the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 does not necessarily need to set the blank pixel 520'. For example, the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 may derive the magnetic domain information as described above based on the template image 410 that has the highest degree of matching with the compared region 510, regardless of whether it exceeds the threshold value. In this case, the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 does not need to compare the maximum degree of matching with the threshold value. Also, the supplementary magnetic domain information derivation unit 215 described later is not necessary.

[0079] As described above, in this embodiment, the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 calculates the maximum value of the degree of agreement between the compared region 510 and the multiple template images 410, and determines whether the calculated maximum value of the degree of agreement exceeds a threshold value. However, the determination condition is not limited to such a condition. For example, the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 may determine whether the degree of agreement is equal to or greater than a threshold value, instead of whether the degree of agreement exceeds a threshold value. In addition, when the comparison unit 213 calculates the degree of mismatch between the compared region 510 and the multiple template images 410, the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 may calculate the minimum value of the degree of mismatch, and determine whether the calculated degree of mismatch is equal to or less than a threshold value (or is below the threshold value).

[0080] Generally, template matching is used to extract an object in an image. Therefore, generally, in the template matching technique, one object in an image needs to be included in one template image. In this embodiment, the entire magnetic domains of the magnetic domain image 300 (the entire stripes extending in the approximately vertical direction (y-axis direction)) need to be included in one template image. Therefore, even if a general template matching technique could be applied to a magnetic domain image, it would only be possible to perform template matching to extract individual magnetic domains from the magnetic domain image. However, even in the magnetic domain image 300 illustrated in FIG. 3, the shapes of the magnetic domains are various. That is, there are an infinite number of shapes of the magnetic domains. Therefore, the number of template images is also infinite. Therefore, it can be considered that the magnetic domain image is usually not suitable for the template matching technique.

[0081] In contrast, in this embodiment, the template matching technique is used to derive magnetic domain information, not to derive the entire magnetic domain contained in the magnetic domain image. As described with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the magnetic domain information (e.g., magnetic domain width w and magnetic domain angle θ) can be quantitatively derived by comparing a partial region (comparison region 510) of the magnetic domain projected in the magnetic domain image 300 with the template image 410. The partial region (comparison region 510) of the magnetic domain projected in the magnetic domain image 300 only needs to have a size that allows the magnetic domain information (e.g., magnetic domain width w and magnetic domain angle θ) to be obtained. A plurality of magnetic domains having mutually different overall shapes have regions that are partially identical or similar in shape. Also, within one magnetic domain, there are a plurality of regions that are partially identical or similar in shape. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare an infinite number of template images 410. As described above, in this embodiment, template matching is not used to extract the magnetic domains included in the magnetic domain image 300, but rather, template matching is used as a method for quantitatively deriving the magnetic domain information included in the magnetic domain image 300.

[0082] <<Supplementary magnetic domain information deriving unit 215>> The supplementary magnetic domain information derivation unit 215 derives magnetic domain information for the blank pixel 520' based on at least one piece of magnetic domain information derived by the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214. As described above, the blank pixel 520' is a compared pixel 520 whose magnetic domain information has not been derived by the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214. As described above, this embodiment illustrates an example in which the magnetic domain information is the magnetic domain width w and the magnetic domain angle θ. In the following description, the magnetic domain information derived by the supplementary magnetic domain information derivation unit 215 will be referred to as supplementary magnetic domain information as necessary.

[0083] In the template image 410 illustrated in FIG. 4, the magnetic domain width w and magnetic domain angle θ of the first magnetic domain (a region with a low gradation value (a region with a high density in FIG. 3)) are determined. Therefore, when the compared region 510 is similar to the first magnetic domain, there is a high possibility that the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 will derive magnetic domain information. In other words, when the attention region 510 is not similar to the first magnetic domain but is similar to the second magnetic domain (a region with a high gradation value (a region with a low density in FIG. 3)), there is a high possibility that the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 will not derive magnetic domain information. However, the magnetic domain information (magnetic domain width w and magnetic domain angle θ in the example of this embodiment) of multiple magnetic domains that exist in positions close to each other (for example, positions adjacent to each other) does not differ significantly regardless of whether they are the first magnetic domain or the second magnetic domain. Therefore, in this embodiment, a case is illustrated in which the supplementary magnetic domain information derivation unit 215 selects at least one piece of magnetic domain information derived by the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 based on the position of the blank pixel 520' and the position of the compared pixel 520 whose magnetic domain information has been derived by the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214. In this case, the supplementary magnetic domain information derivation unit 215 may calculate magnetic domain information (supplementary magnetic domain information) in the blank pixel 520' based on the selected magnetic domain information. It is preferable that the position of the blank pixel 520' and the position of the compared pixel 520 are adjacent to each other.

[0084] For example, the supplementary magnetic domain information derivation unit 215 may select the magnetic domain information of the compared pixel 520 having the shortest Euclidean distance to the blank pixel 520' from among the compared pixels 520 whose magnetic domain information has been derived by the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214. In this case, the supplementary magnetic domain information derivation unit 215 may derive the supplementary magnetic domain information by setting the magnetic domain information as the magnetic domain information of the blank pixel 520'.

[0085] The supplementary magnetic domain information derivation unit 215 may select a plurality of compared pixels 520 in order of the shortest distance, such as the Euclidean distance, from the blank pixel 520' among the compared pixels 520 whose magnetic domain information is derived by the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214. The number of the compared pixels 520 may be a predetermined number. The supplementary magnetic domain information derivation unit 215 may calculate the magnetic domain information of the blank pixel 520' based on the magnetic domain information of the compared pixels 520. For example, the supplementary magnetic domain information derivation unit 215 may calculate a statistical value, such as an average value, a mode, or a weighted linear sum, of the magnetic domain width w (magnetic domain information) of the compared pixels 520' as the magnetic domain width w of the blank pixel 520'. In the case of the weighted linear sum, a weighting coefficient for the magnetic domain width w of the compared pixel 520 may be determined according to the Euclidean distance between the compared pixel 520 and the blank pixel 520'. For example, the weighting coefficient for the magnetic domain width w of each compared pixel 520 may be set to be larger as the Euclidean distance from the blank pixel 520' becomes shorter. As for the magnetic domain angle θ, the supplemental magnetic domain information derivation unit 215 may calculate the magnetic domain angle θ of the blank pixel 520' by taking the weighted linear sum of the magnetic domain angles θ of the multiple compared pixels 520 as the magnetic domain angle θ of the blank pixel 520', in the same manner as for the magnetic domain width w.

[0086] As described above, this embodiment illustrates a case in which the supplementary magnetic domain information (magnetic domain width w and magnetic domain angle θ) can be derived for each pixel (compared pixel 520) in the compared pixel setting region 530 shown in Fig. 5. Note that the supplementary magnetic domain information may or may not indicate that the magnetic domain width w and the magnetic domain angle θ are not those of the first magnetic domain (or that they are those of the second magnetic domain).

[0087] Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining that a region that is not a magnetic domain is difficult to detect as a magnetic domain in the method of this embodiment. The region NR illustrated in Fig. 3 has a black portion extending along the y-axis direction and has white portions on both sides in the x-axis direction, so it may look like a magnetic domain when viewed locally. In the technology described in Patent Document 1, such a region NR is easily detected as a magnetic domain.

[0088] In contrast, in this embodiment, when the region NR overlaps with the compared pixel 520, the degree of match between the compared region 510 and each template image 410 in the template image group 400 shown in Fig. 4 is low. Therefore, it becomes difficult to derive magnetic domain information (i.e., the compared pixel 520 in the region NR is easily set as a blank pixel 520'). In this case, the magnetic domain information (filler magnetic domain information) of the blank pixel 520' in the region NR is derived using the magnetic domain information of the compared pixel 520 located close to the blank pixel 520'.

[0089] For example, it is assumed that the compared pixel 520 at the position shown in FIG. 6 is the compared pixel 520 that has the shortest Euclidean distance to the blank pixel 520' in the region NR shown in FIG. 6 among the compared pixels 520 whose magnetic domain information has been calculated. It is also assumed that the magnetic domain information of the compared pixel 520 is the magnetic domain width w and magnetic domain angle θ of the first magnetic domain 610. Then, it is assumed that the magnetic domain information of the compared pixel 520 that has the shortest Euclidean distance to the blank pixel 520' is derived as the magnetic domain information (fill-in magnetic domain information) of the blank pixel 520'. In this case, the magnetic domain information (fill-in magnetic domain information) of the blank pixel 520' is the magnetic domain width w and magnetic domain angle θ of the first magnetic domain 610. Therefore, the region NR is not detected as noise, and the magnetic domain width w and magnetic domain angle θ close to the magnetic domain width w and magnetic domain angle θ of the second magnetic domain (low-concentration region) surrounding the region NR are derived as the magnetic domain information of the region NR.

[0090] <<Output unit 216>> The output unit 216 outputs all magnetic domain information including all the magnetic domain information derived by the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 and all the supplementary magnetic domain information derived by the supplementary magnetic domain information derivation unit 215. In this embodiment, a case is illustrated in which the all magnetic domain information includes information including the magnetic domain width w and the magnetic domain angle θ of each compared pixel 520 in the compared pixel setting region 530. In addition, the all magnetic domain information (each magnetic domain information derived by the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 and the supplementary magnetic domain information derived by the supplementary magnetic domain information derivation unit 215) may be linked to a position in the magnetic domain image.

[0091] In this embodiment, the output unit 216 outputs the entire magnetic domain information to the output device 230. In this embodiment, the output device 230 displays the entire magnetic domain information. In this case, for example, the output device 230 may include a computer display. In addition, the output device 230 may include a storage medium. In this case, for example, the entire magnetic domain information stored in the storage medium included in the output device 230 may be used by the processing device 200 and the external device. In addition, the output device 230 may include a transmission device. In this case, for example, the output device 230 transmits the entire magnetic domain information to the external device. The communication between the output device 230 and the external device may be wired communication, wireless communication, or communication via a network.

[0092] <Flowchart> Next, an example of a processing method performed by the processing device 200 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of Figures 7A and 7B. The flowcharts of Figures 7A and 7B are realized, for example, by a processor included in the processing device 200 expanding a program stored in the memory into the memory and executing it.

[0093] First, in step S701, the acquisition unit 211 acquires template setting information. The template setting information is information necessary for creating a plurality of template images 410. The template setting information includes, for example, a maximum value w 1 , minimum value w p , and width step Δw. The template setting information also includes, for example, information on the maximum value, minimum value, and angle step Δθ of the magnetic domain angle θ of the first magnetic domain as information for specifying the magnetic domain angle θ of the first magnetic domain.

[0094] Next, in step S702, the creation unit 212 creates and stores a plurality of template images 410 based on the template setting information acquired in step S701. Next, in step S703, the acquiring unit 211 acquires the magnetic domain image 300 of the magnetic body S and threshold information. The threshold information is information indicating a threshold to be compared with the maximum degree of matching between the compared region 510 and each of the multiple template images 410 in step S708 in FIG. 7B described later.

[0095] Next, in step S704, the comparison unit 213 determines a compared region 510 for one pixel in the scanning region 330, and sets a pixel at a representative position (e.g., the center of gravity position) of the compared region 510 as a compared pixel 520 of the compared region 510. In this embodiment, the compared pixel 520 is set for the compared pixel setting region 530. In step S704, an area to be compared with the template image 410 read in the next step S705 is set as the compared region 510.

[0096] Next, in step S705, the comparison unit 213 reads out one of the multiple template images 410 stored in step S702. Next, in step S706, the comparison unit 213 calculates the degree of match between the compared region 510 in which the compared pixels 520 are set in step S704 and the template image 410 read out in step S705.

[0097] Next, in step S707, the comparison unit 213 judges whether or not all of the multiple template images 410 stored in step S702 (the multiple template images 410 included in the template image group 400) have been read out. If the result of this judgment is that all of the multiple template images 410 stored in step S702 have not been read out (NO in step S707), the process of step S705 is performed again. Then, in step S705, one new template image 410 is read out. Also, in step S706, the degree of match between the compared region 510 in which the compared pixel 520 is set in step S704 and the template image 410 is calculated. The processes of steps S705 to S707 are repeated until it is judged in step S707 that all of the multiple template images 410 stored in step S702 have been read out.

[0098] Then, when it is determined in step S707 that all of the template images 410 stored in step S702 have been read out (YES in step S707), the process of step S708 in Fig. 7B is performed. In step S708, the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 determines whether the maximum value of the degrees of match between the compared region 510 in which the compared pixel 520 is set in step S704 and each template image 410 read out in step S705 exceeds the threshold value indicated in the threshold value information acquired in step S703.

[0099] If the result of this determination is that the maximum value among the degrees of matching between the compared region 510 and each template image 410 exceeds the threshold value (YES in step S708), the process of step S709 is performed.

[0100] In step S709, the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 derives magnetic domain information of the compared pixel 520 of the compared region 510 based on the template image 410 that has the highest degree of coincidence with the compared region 510 in which the compared pixel 520 is set in step S704, out of the multiple template images 410 stored in step S702. Then, the process of step S711 described later is performed.

[0101] On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S708, if the maximum value among the degrees of matching between the compared region 510 and each template image 410 does not exceed the threshold value (NO in step S708), the process of step S710 is performed. In step S710, the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 sets the compared pixel 520 set in step S704 to the blank pixel 520'. Then, the process of step S711 is performed.

[0102] In step S711, the comparator 213 determines whether or not all pixels in the compared pixel setting region 530 have been set as compared pixels 520. If the result of this determination is that all pixels in the compared pixel setting region 530 have not been set as compared pixels 520 (NO in step S711), the process of step S704 in FIG. 7A is performed again. Then, a new compared pixel 520 is set in step S704, and the processes of steps S705 to S710 are performed again for that compared pixel 520. The processes of steps S704 to S711 are repeated until it is determined in step S711 that all pixels in the compared pixel setting region 530 have been set as compared pixels 520.

[0103] Then, when it is determined in step S711 that all pixels in the compared pixel setting region 530 have been set as compared pixels 520 (YES in step S711), the process of step S712 is performed. In step S712, the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 determines whether or not a blank pixel 520' has been set (for at least one compared pixel 520) in step S710. If it is determined that a blank pixel 520' has not been set (NO in step S712), the processes of steps S713 to S715 are omitted, and the process of step S716 described below is performed.

[0104] On the other hand, in step S712, it is confirmed whether or not a blank pixel 520' has been set in the above-mentioned step S710. If it is determined that a blank pixel 520' has been set (YES in step S712), the process of step S713 is performed. In step S713, the filler magnetic domain information derivation unit 215 selects one of the blank pixels 520' set in step S710 in order. Next, in step S714, the filler magnetic domain information derivation unit 215 selects at least one piece of magnetic domain information derived in step S709 based on the position of the blank pixel 520' selected in step S712 and the position of the compared pixel 520 set in step S704. Then, the filler magnetic domain information derivation unit 215 calculates magnetic domain information (filler magnetic domain information) in the blank pixel 520' based on the selected magnetic domain information.

[0105] Next, in step S715, the filler magnetic domain information derivation unit 215 judges whether or not all of the blank pixels 520' set in step S710 have been selected. If the result of this judgment is that all of the blank pixels 520' have not been selected (NO in step S715), the process of step S713 is performed again. Then, in step S713, one new blank pixel 520' is selected. Furthermore, in step S714, the magnetic domain information (filler magnetic domain information) of the blank pixel 520' is calculated. The processes of steps S713 to S715 are repeated until it is judged in step S715 that all of the blank pixels 520' set in step S710 have been selected.

[0106] Then, when it is determined in step S715 that all of the blank pixels 520' set in step S710 have been selected (YES in step S715), the process of step S716 is performed. In step S716, the output unit 216 outputs all magnetic domain information including the magnetic domain information derived in step S709 and the fill magnetic domain information derived in step S714. Note that when it is determined in step S712 that the blank pixels 520' have not been set (NO) and the process of step S716 is performed, the fill magnetic domain information is not included in the all magnetic domain information. When the process of step S716 ends, the process according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 7A and 7B ends.

[0107] <Summary> As described above, in this embodiment, the processing device 200 derives magnetic domain information of the compared pixel 520 of the compared region 510 based on the result of the comparison between the compared region 510 in the magnetic domain image 300 and one or more template images 410. Magnetic domain information (values ​​of magnetic domain width w, magnetic domain angle θ, etc.) corresponding to the image is set in advance in each template image 410. The processing device 200 reflects the result of the comparison between the compared region 510 and the template image 410 in the compared pixel 520 in the compared region 500, and can quantitatively obtain the magnetic domain information (values ​​of magnetic domain width w, magnetic domain angle θ, etc.) of the compared pixel 520 to be derived by template matching. Therefore, the magnetic domain information of the compared region 510 can be obtained with a desired resolution based on the prepared template image. In addition, it is not easily affected by noise, and magnetic domain information can be derived robustly. Therefore, the magnetic domain information can be derived with higher accuracy.

[0108] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the processing device 200 determines that the magnetic domain information of a template image 410 that is determined to correspond to the compared region 510 because the comparison result between the compared region 510 and a plurality of template images 410 satisfies a predetermined condition is the magnetic domain information of the compared region 510. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately select the template image 410 that corresponds to the compared region 510 from among the plurality of template images 410. Therefore, it is possible to quantify and obtain the magnetic domain information (magnetic domain width w, magnetic domain angle θ, etc.) of the compared pixel 520 to be derived with even greater accuracy by template matching. This makes it possible to derive the magnetic domain information with even greater accuracy.

[0109] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the processing device 200 regards the magnetic domain information of the template image 410, which is determined to correspond to the compared region 510 because the result of the comparison between the compared region 510 and the template image 410 satisfies a predetermined condition, as the magnetic domain information of the compared region 510. In this case, magnetic domain information corresponding to the compared region 510 that does not satisfy the predetermined condition (magnetic domain information of the blank pixels 520') is not derived. Therefore, it is possible to prevent inaccurate information from being derived as the magnetic domain information.

[0110] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the processing device 200 derives magnetic domain information in a compared region 51 from which magnetic domain information has not been derived (magnetic domain information in blank pixels 520' (supplementary magnetic domain information)) based on magnetic domain information already derived in at least one other compared region 510. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the region from which magnetic domain information is not derived while suppressing a decrease in the accuracy of derivation of the magnetic domain information.

[0111] In addition, in this embodiment, the processing device 200 selects the magnetic domain information in at least one other compared region 510 based on the position of the compared region 510 whose magnetic domain information has not been derived (the position of the blank pixel 520') and the other compared region 510 whose magnetic domain information has already been derived (the position of the compared pixel 520). In a magnetic body, regions whose magnetic domain widths w are equal are often distributed in clusters within crystal grains. Therefore, for example, the magnetic domain information of the blank pixel 520' can be complemented using the magnetic domain width w of a position close to the position of the compared region 510 whose magnetic domain information has not been derived (the position of the blank pixel 520') among the positions of the compared pixel 520 in the other compared region 510 whose magnetic domain information has already been derived. Therefore, the magnetic domain information of the blank pixel 520' can be estimated with high accuracy.

[0112] Moreover, in this embodiment, the magnetic domain widths w shown in at least two of the multiple template images 410 are made different from each other. Therefore, by selecting the most matching template image, etc., it is possible to more accurately derive the magnetic domain width w as magnetic domain information. Moreover, in this embodiment, the extending directions of the magnetic domains shown in at least two of the multiple template images 410 are made different from each other. Therefore, by selecting the most matching template image, etc., it is possible to more accurately derive the magnetic domain direction (e.g., magnetic domain angle θ) as magnetic domain information without performing processing such as image rotation.

[0113] In this embodiment, at least one of the magnetic domain image 300 and the template image 410 is rotated to compare the compared region 510 with the template image 410. Therefore, by selecting the most matching template image, the magnetic domain direction (e.g., magnetic domain angle θ) can be derived more accurately as magnetic domain information.

[0114] Second embodiment Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the magnetic domains existing in a mutually close position do not differ greatly in magnetic domain information regardless of whether they are the first magnetic domain or the second magnetic domain, so a case where information (e.g., magnetic domain width w and magnetic domain angle θ) of the first magnetic domain (black region) is defined in the template image 410 is exemplified. In contrast, in the present embodiment, in addition to such a template image 410, a case where information (e.g., magnetic domain width w and magnetic domain angle θ) of the second magnetic domain (white region) is defined and compared with the compared region 510 is exemplified. By defining the information of the first magnetic domain and the second magnetic domain, more detailed magnetic domain information can be derived with high accuracy. Thus, the present embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in that the number of template images to be compared with the compared region 510 is increased. Therefore, in the description of this embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals as those in Figs. 1 to 7B, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0115] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a template image group 800 including a plurality of template images 810 in which information on the second magnetic domains is defined. As in FIG. 4, in FIG. 8, for convenience of notation, only one template image is labeled with a reference symbol (810).

[0116] Template image 810 is realized by, for example, swapping the first magnetic domain (black region) and the second magnetic domain (white region) of template image 410. Also, similar to template image 410, it is also possible to rotate compared region 510 by an angle step Δθ without rotating template image 810. In this case, by superimposing rotated compared region 510 on template image 810, the magnetic domain direction shown in template image 810 can be made different from the magnetic domain direction shown in compared region 510. Note that the magnetic domain angle θ of the first magnetic domain in template image 410 2 , θ 3 , , θ q and the magnetic domain angle θ of the second magnetic domain in the template image 810. 2 , θ 3 , , θ q Similarly, the magnetic domain width w of the first magnetic domain in the template image 410 may be the same or different. 1 , w 3 , , w p and the second magnetic domain width w in the template image 810. 1 , w 3 , , w p may be the same or different.

[0117] In this embodiment, the template image 410 is an example of a first template image corresponding to a first magnetic domain. In addition, in this embodiment, the template image 810 is an example of a second template image corresponding to a second magnetic domain. Note that the boundary (domain wall) between the first magnetic domain and the second magnetic domain is not limited to a 180° domain wall as long as the magnetic moments of the first magnetic domain and the second magnetic domain are different from each other. In addition, when it is assumed that three or more magnetic domains exist in the magnetic domain image, one or more template images may be prepared for each of all or a part of the three or more magnetic domains.

[0118] In the processing method (flowchart) of this embodiment, for example, the template images read out in step S705 in Fig. 7 are template image 410 shown in Fig. 4 and template image 810 shown in Fig. 8. Also, in step S707, it is determined whether or not all of template image 410 shown in Fig. 4 and template image 810 shown in Fig. 8 have been read out.

[0119] As described above, in this embodiment, the processing device 200 compares the compared region 510 with the template images 410 and 810. Therefore, the blank pixels 520' can be reduced, and the accuracy of deriving magnetic domain information can be improved.

[0120] Third embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, a case where processing based on magnetic domain information derived as described in the first and second embodiments is illustrated. In this manner, in this embodiment, a configuration and processing for performing processing based on magnetic domain information are added to the first and second embodiments. Therefore, in the description of this embodiment, the same parts as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in Figs. 1 to 8, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0121] The processing system of this embodiment not only derives magnetic domain information but also performs processing based on the magnetic domain information. As described in the first and second embodiments, the methods of the first and second embodiments can be used to derive magnetic domain information including magnetic domain width with high accuracy while reducing the influence of noise. Therefore, by utilizing such magnetic domain width information, for example, the magnetic properties (e.g., iron loss) of the magnetic body S (soft magnetic material) can be improved more effectively.

[0122] Therefore, in this embodiment, a case is exemplified where the processing based on the magnetic domain information includes processing for adjusting the magnetic domain width of the magnetic body S. Note that the processing based on the magnetic domain information is not limited to such processing. For example, processing for deriving other manufacturing conditions in addition to or instead of the magnetic domain width may be performed. For example, processing for adjusting the magnetic domain angle may be performed. Note that in the following description, the manipulation of the magnetic domains including the adjustment of the magnetic domain width will be referred to as magnetic domain control as necessary.

[0123] Moreover, the processing based on the magnetic domain information is not limited to the processing of deriving the manufacturing conditions of the magnetic body S. For example, a processing may be performed in which each pixel of the magnetic domain image is converted into a color according to the value of the magnetic domain information corresponding to the pixel. In this way, each position of the magnetic domain image can be displayed with a color according to the value of the magnetic domain information. Therefore, the operator can more intuitively grasp the distribution of the magnetic domain information. For example, a gradation value (for example, 0 to 255) indicating one color (for example, R) of RGB (red, green, blue) may be made to correspond to the value of the magnetic domain width w. Also, a gradation value (for example, 0 to 255) indicating another color (for example, G) of RGB (red, green, blue) may be made to correspond to the value of the magnetic domain angle θ. Also, a gradation value indicating the remaining color (for example, B) of RGB (red, green, blue) may be set to a constant value.

[0124] In this embodiment, a case is illustrated in which a soft magnetic material in the process of manufacturing a grain-oriented electromagnetic steel strip is a magnetic body S for which a magnetic domain image is to be acquired and for which magnetic domain control is to be performed. However, the magnetic body S is not limited to such a soft magnetic material as long as it is a soft magnetic material for which magnetic domain control is possible.

[0125] 9 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the processing device 900. The hardware of the processing device 900 may be the same as that of the processing device 200 described in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, a processing system including a magnetic domain image acquisition device 100, the processing device 900, and a magnetic domain control device 910 is illustrated.

[0126] <Magnetic domain image acquisition device 100> The magnetic domain image acquisition device 100 may be the same device as the magnetic domain image acquisition device 100 described in the first embodiment. The magnetic domain image acquisition device 100 may acquire the magnetic domain image 300 of the magnetic body S being transported. In this case, the magnetic domain image acquisition device 100 may acquire the magnetic domain image 300 of the magnetic body S being transported on a production line while being unwound from a coil, for example. The magnetic domain image acquisition device 100 may also acquire the magnetic domain image 300 of the magnetic body S not being transported (i.e., the magnetic body S in a non-moving state). In this case, the magnetic domain image acquisition device 100 may acquire the magnetic domain image 300 of the magnetic body S cut off from the coil, for example.

[0127] <Magnetic domain control device 910> The magnetic domain control device 910 is a device that performs magnetic domain control on a magnetic body S (soft magnetic material). The magnetic domain control device 910 may perform magnetic domain control on a magnetic body S being transported. In this case, the magnetic domain control device 910 may perform magnetic domain control on a magnetic body S being transported on a production line while being unwound from a coil, for example. The magnetic domain control device 910 may also perform magnetic domain control on a magnetic body S that is not being transported (i.e., a magnetic body S that is not moving).

[0128] In addition, in this embodiment, a case will be illustrated in which, after an operation command for the magnetic domain control device 910 with respect to the magnetic body S is output from the processing device 900 as described later, the magnetic domain control device 910 performs magnetic domain control on the magnetic body S.

[0129] In addition, in this embodiment, the magnetic domain control device 910 is exemplified as a device that performs magnetic domain control on the magnetic body S by irradiating a laser beam or an electron beam. In this case, the magnetic domain control device 910 may irradiate the laser beam or the electron beam in the width direction of the magnetic body S. Furthermore, the magnetic domain control device 910 may irradiate the laser beam or the electron beam to at least one of the entire front and back surfaces of the plate-like or strip-like magnetic body S. In the following description, the magnetic domain control device 910 is exemplified as having an irradiation unit that irradiates a laser beam. In addition, when the magnetic domain control device 910 irradiates an electron beam, the laser beam is replaced with the electron beam in the following description.

[0130] In the case where the magnetic body S conveyed on the manufacturing line while being unwound from a coil is a soft magnetic material in the manufacturing process of a grain-oriented electromagnetic steel strip, the magnetic domain control device 910 may irradiate the magnetic body S conveyed on the manufacturing line with a laser beam, for example, after the cold rolling process is completed and before the process of forming a coating (e.g., an insulating coating) on ​​the surface of the steel sheet is started. The manufacturing line preferably includes, for example, a hot rolling process, a cold rolling process, and a process of forming a coating on the surface of the steel sheet. The hot rolling process is a process of hot rolling a steel material such as a slab. The cold rolling process is a process of cold rolling the steel strip after the hot rolling process. The process of forming a coating on the surface of the steel sheet is a process of forming a coating on the surface of the steel strip after the cold rolling process. In addition to these processes, the manufacturing line more preferably includes an annealing process and a pickling process. The annealing process is a process of continuously annealing the steel strip after the cold rolling process. In the annealing process, the distortion of the steel strip is reduced (preferably removed). The pickling process is a process of pickling the steel strip after the annealing process. In the pickling process, scale formed on the surface of the steel strip is reduced (preferably removed). The hot rolling process, the cold rolling process, and the process of forming a coating on the steel sheet surface may be performed on different production lines. Each process from the cold rolling process to the process of forming a coating on the steel sheet surface may be performed continuously on the same production line. When the annealing process is performed, the irradiation of the laser light is performed after the annealing process. When the pickling process is performed, the irradiation of the laser light is preferably performed after the pickling process. The hot rolling process, the cold rolling process, the process of forming a coating on the steel sheet surface, the annealing process, and the pickling process themselves can be realized by known techniques. Therefore, detailed explanations of these processes are omitted here.

[0131] The magnetic domain control device 910 is not limited to a device that irradiates a laser beam or an electron beam, as long as it is a device that can perform magnetic domain control on a soft magnetic material so that the magnetic domain width is changed. For example, the magnetic domain control device 910 may be a device that forms grooves in the magnetic body S by physically contacting the magnetic body S. Also, for example, the magnetic domain control device 910 may be a device that performs electric field etching on the magnetic body S.

[0132] <Processing device 900> <<Acquisition unit 211, creation unit 212, comparison unit 213, magnetic domain information derivation unit 214, supplementary magnetic domain information derivation unit 215, output unit 216>>

[0133] The acquiring unit 211, the creating unit 212, the comparing unit 213, the magnetic domain information deriving unit 214, the supplementary magnetic domain information deriving unit 215, and the output unit 216 have the same functions as those described in the first and second embodiments.

[0134] For example, the acquiring unit 211 may acquire one magnetic domain image 300 from one coil, or may acquire multiple magnetic domain images 300 from one coil. When the acquiring unit 211 acquires multiple magnetic domain images 300, the creating unit 212, the comparing unit 213, the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214, and the supplemental magnetic domain information derivation unit 215 may perform the processes described in the first and second embodiments, for example, on each of the multiple magnetic domain images 300 acquired by the acquiring unit 211 as a magnetic domain image to be processed.

[0135] In addition, this embodiment illustrates a case where the output unit 216 outputs an operation command for the magnetic domain control device 910 to the output device 230 in addition to or instead of the total magnetic domain information.

[0136] <<Processing unit 217>> The processing unit 217 performs processing based on the magnetic domain information derived by the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214. In this embodiment, a case where the processing unit 217 performs processing based on all magnetic domain information is illustrated. As described in the first embodiment, the all magnetic domain information includes all magnetic domain information derived by the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214 and all supplementary magnetic domain information derived by the supplementary magnetic domain information derivation unit 215. For example, when performing processing based on the magnetic domain information, the processing unit 217 may not use a part of the magnetic domain information derived by the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214. Also, the processing unit 217 may not use all or a part of the supplementary magnetic domain information derived by the supplementary magnetic domain information derivation unit 215.

[0137] In the present embodiment, the processing unit 217 performs processing based on all magnetic domain information for each piece of magnetic domain information derived from one magnetic domain image 300 (i.e., for each magnetic domain image 300). However, this is not necessarily required. The processing unit 217 may perform processing based on all magnetic domain information for each piece of magnetic domain information derived from multiple magnetic domain images 300 (i.e., for each multiple magnetic domain image 300).

[0138] As described above, in this embodiment, the processing performed by the processing unit 217 includes a process for adjusting the magnetic domain width of the magnetic body S. However, as described above, the processing based on the magnetic domain information is not limited to such a process. If the processing performed by the processing unit 217 does not include a process for adjusting the magnetic domain width of the magnetic body S, the processing system may not include the magnetic domain control device 910. Also, a processing device other than the processing device 900 may have the functions of the processing device 217. In this case, the processing device 900 and the other processing device may communicate with each other.

[0139] An example of a process for adjusting the magnetic domain width of the magnetic body S will be described below. In this embodiment, the processing unit 217 derives information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width. The information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width may be information indicating the relationship between the value of the magnetic domain width and the number of magnetic domain widths having the value. The information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width may be information indicating the relationship between the range of the magnetic domain width and the number of magnetic domain widths having a value within the range. The information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width may be, for example, a histogram. The information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width may be a table. The information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width may be a function. In this case, the number of magnetic domain widths may be expressed as a function of the value of the magnetic domain width. The degree of the function is not limited. The coefficients and constants of the function may be derived by using curve fitting, for example.

[0140] In the present embodiment, the processing unit 217 uses all magnetic domain information derived from one magnetic domain image 300 as the magnetic domain image to be processed to derive information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain widths contained in the all magnetic domain information. However, the processing unit 217 may use all magnetic domain information derived from a plurality of magnetic domain images 300 as the magnetic domain images to be processed to derive information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain widths contained in the all magnetic domain information.

[0141] In one magnetic domain image 300, the magnetic domain widths of the number of partial regions to be compared with the template image 410 (for example, the number of compared regions 510 shown in FIG. 5) are derived. When deriving information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain widths included in the total magnetic domain information using the total magnetic domain information derived with one magnetic domain image 300 as the magnetic domain image to be processed, the processing unit 217 derives the information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain widths using the magnetic domain widths of the number of partial regions.

[0142] In addition, if the supplementary magnetic domain information is not derived by the supplementary magnetic domain information derivation unit 215, or if the supplementary magnetic domain information is not derived, the number of magnetic domain widths derived from one magnetic domain image 300 will be the number of magnetic domain information derived by the magnetic domain information derivation unit 214.

[0143] In addition, the processing unit 217 derives information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width, which allows the user to more intuitively grasp the distribution of the magnetic domain width. Therefore, the processing unit 217 may derive information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width when not performing processing for adjusting the magnetic domain width of the magnetic body S. Furthermore, the processing unit 217 may derive information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain angle instead of or in addition to the information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width.

[0144] In order to adjust the magnetic domain width, the irradiation time and the number of irradiations of the laser light may be adjusted in addition to or instead of the intensity of the laser light. However, in this case, it may be necessary to slow down the conveying speed of the magnetic material S. Therefore, in this embodiment, a case where the processing unit 217 determines the intensity of the laser light to adjust the magnetic domain width is illustrated.

[0145] When the intensity of the laser light is changed, the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width in the magnetic body S changes. When the intensity of the laser light is changed, the average value of the magnetic domain width in the magnetic body S also changes. However, when the magnetic body S has an area where the magnetic domain width is extremely wide or extremely narrow, the average value of the magnetic domain width in the magnetic body S fluctuates. On the other hand, the iron loss of the magnetic body S is determined from the magnetic domain width distribution over the entire surface of the magnetic body S. Local abnormal values ​​of the magnetic domain width have a large effect on the average value of the magnetic domain width. However, the area of ​​the magnetic domain having a magnetic domain width showing a local abnormal value is small relative to the entire surface of the magnetic body S. Therefore, it is not preferable that the indicated value of the laser light intensity is affected by the local abnormal value of the magnetic domain width. Therefore, it is preferable to manufacture the magnetic body S (soft magnetic material) based on the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width.

[0146] Therefore, in this embodiment, a case will be illustrated in which the processing unit 217 performs processing for adjusting the magnetic domain width of the magnetic body S based on the mode of the magnetic domain width in the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width. However, a representative value other than the mode may be used in addition to or instead of the mode. For example, the median may be used as the representative value other than the mode.

[0147] For example, when the information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width is a function, one or more values ​​of the magnetic domain width that maximize the value of the function are the most frequent values ​​of the magnetic domain width. Also, when the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width is represented by a histogram, one or more classes (ranges of magnetic domain widths) that maximize the frequency are the most frequent values ​​of the magnetic domain width.

[0148] 10A is a diagram showing an example of a histogram 1010 of magnetic domain widths. In FIG. i ~W i+9 indicates the upper and lower limits of each class of the magnetic domain width histogram 1010. i ~W i+9 The i in is an integer equal to or greater than 1. The symbol for the magnetic domain width is the symbol (w 1 ~w p 10A and 10B, the symbol for the magnetic domain width is a capital letter W to distinguish it from the magnetic domain width Wi+5 ~W i+6 The range (class) of magnetic domain widths corresponds to the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width in the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain widths. In this case, the processing unit 217 may specify a representative value of the class (for example, an arithmetic mean value) as the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width.

[0149] 10B is a diagram showing an example of a function 1020 of the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width. In FIG. 10B, the magnetic domain width W max In this example, the magnetic domain width W (one value) is the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width in the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width. max is identified as the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width.

[0150] When there are multiple values ​​(multiple classes) as the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width, the processing unit 217 may treat each of the multiple values ​​(multiple classes) as the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width. The processing unit 217 may also select one or more of the multiple values ​​(multiple classes). For example, the processing unit 217 may treat the maximum value (class) of the multiple values ​​(multiple classes) or a value (class) exceeding a predetermined value as the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width.

[0151] Moreover, if the intensity of the laser light is high, the effect of dividing the magnetic domains can be sufficiently obtained. Therefore, the abnormal eddy current loss of the magnetic body S is reduced. However, if the intensity of the laser light is too high, there is a risk that the hysteresis loss of the magnetic body S increases due to thermal distortion. Therefore, it may not be preferable if the intensity of the laser light is too high. On the other hand, if the intensity of the laser is too low, there is a risk that the effect of dividing the magnetic domains cannot be sufficiently obtained. Therefore, there is a risk that the abnormal eddy current loss of the magnetic body S cannot be reduced. From the above, it is preferable to control the intensity of the laser light for dividing the magnetic domains within an appropriate range. Furthermore, the appropriate intensity of the laser light varies depending on the magnetic domain width of the magnetic body S before controlling the magnetic domain width. It is possible to reduce the iron loss of the magnetic body S by increasing the intensity of the laser light irradiated to the region with a wide magnetic domain width and decreasing the intensity of the laser light irradiated to the region with a narrow magnetic domain width.

[0152] From the above viewpoint, in this embodiment, the processing unit 217 sets the intensity Ua (mJ / mm 2 ) shows an example of determining the intensity of a laser beam (or an electron beam).

[0153]

number

[0154] Here, W m is the most frequent value (μm) of the magnetic domain width in the information showing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width. m is derived before the laser light (or electron beam) is irradiated. The unit of angle expressed by arctan is radian (rad). That is, (W m -400) / 300 and (W m The unit of -300) / 300 is radian (rad).

[0155] Moreover, it is preferable that the processing unit 217 determines the intensity Ua of the laser light so that the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width in the information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width by the irradiation of the laser light is 200 μm or more and less than 400 μm. That is, it is preferable that the processing unit 217 determines the intensity Ua of the laser light so that the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width derived as the magnetic domain image to be processed of the magnetic body S (soft magnetic material) after the irradiation of the laser light is 200 μm or more and less than 400 μm. In this way, it is possible to manufacture a soft magnetic material in which the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width in the information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width is 200 μm or more and less than 400 μm.

[0156] The processing unit 217 outputs an operation command indicating output of a laser beam having the intensity determined as described above to the magnetic domain control device 910 via the output unit 216. The magnetic domain control device 910 irradiates the magnetic body S with the laser beam having the intensity included in the operation command. At that time, the processing unit 217 may derive an operation condition of the magnetic domain control device 910 and include it in the operation command so that the laser beam is irradiated to an irradiation range of the magnetic body S with the laser beam (for example, the entirety of at least one of the front surface and the back surface of the magnetic body S).

[0157] In addition, the magnetic body S after the magnetic domain control as described above may be subjected to distortion relief annealing. In this case, the magnetic domain image acquisition device 100 may acquire the magnetic domain image 300 of the magnetic body S after the distortion relief annealing. Then, the processing device 900 may derive information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width based on the magnetic domain image 300. In this case, in the information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width, the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width is preferably 700 μm or more. In this case, by performing distortion relief annealing on the magnetic body S after the magnetic domain control, the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width of the magnetic body S changes from, for example, 200 μm or more and less than 400 μm to 700 μm or more. In other words, by performing distortion relief annealing on the magnetic body S after the magnetic domain control, the state of the magnetic domain of the magnetic body S becomes close to the state before the magnetic domain control.

[0158] The strain relief annealing is performed, for example, as follows. First, the temperature of the magnetic body S is set to 800°C. The state in which the temperature of the magnetic body S is 800°C is continued for 240 minutes or more (the magnetic body S is kept at 800°C for 240 minutes or more). Note that, in order to shorten the time of strain relief annealing, etc., the time for keeping the magnetic body S at 800°C may be 240 minutes. Thereafter, the magnetic body S is cooled as follows. First, until the temperature of the magnetic body S drops from 800°C to 200°C, the average cooling rate is set to more than 0°C / h and not more than 25°C / h. Note that, in order to shorten the time of strain relief annealing, etc., the average cooling rate may be 25°C / h. Thereafter, the magnetic body S is cooled to 50°C at an average cooling rate of more than 0°C / h and not more than 100°C / h. Note that, in order to shorten the time of strain relief annealing, etc., the average cooling rate may be 100°C / h.

[0159] By doing this, it is possible to confirm that the magnetic body S (soft magnetic material) after being irradiated with laser light was a magnetic body S (soft magnetic material) in which the most frequent magnetic domain width in the information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width was 700 μm or more before being irradiated with laser light.

[0160] Furthermore, a soft magnetic material in which the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width in the information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width is 700 μm or more may be manufactured as a soft magnetic intermediate material for manufacturing the magnetic body S. This soft magnetic intermediate material may be a soft magnetic material that has been subjected to stress relief annealing. The stress relief annealing may be performed under the above-mentioned conditions, for example. In this case, it is preferable to manufacture the magnetic body S (soft magnetic material) in which the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width in the information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width is 200 μm or more and less than 400 μm by irradiating the soft magnetic intermediate material with a laser beam.

[0161] <Transformer> Also, a transformer core may be manufactured using the magnetic body S (in this embodiment, a grain-oriented electromagnetic steel strip) manufactured by controlling the magnetic domains as described above. Also, a transformer including the core may be manufactured. For example, a plurality of soft magnetic plates are manufactured by cutting the magnetic body S into a shape that is substantially the same (preferably the same) as the planar shape of the core. The cutting may be performed by punching or laser processing. A laminated core is manufactured by stacking these soft magnetic plates. The transformer core is not limited to a laminated core. For example, a wound core may be manufactured as a transformer core using the magnetic body S. The manufacturing method of the transformer core itself can be realized by a known technique. Therefore, a detailed description of the manufacturing method of the transformer core itself is omitted here.

[0162] A coil is wound around the transformer core thus manufactured, with an insulating member interposed therebetween. The coil includes, for example, a primary coil to which a voltage is applied and a secondary coil from which a transformed voltage is generated. The manufacturing method of the transformer itself can be realized by known techniques. Therefore, a detailed description of the manufacturing method of the transformer itself will be omitted here.

[0163] The magnetic body S does not have to be used for a transformer core. For example, the magnetic body S may be used to manufacture a stator core (for example, a split core) of a rotating electrical machine.

[0164] <Flowchart> Next, an example of a processing method performed by the processing device 900 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 11. The flowchart of Fig. 11 is realized, for example, by a processor included in the processing device 900 expanding a program stored in a memory into the memory and executing the program.

[0165] First, in step S1101, the acquisition unit 211 acquires template setting information. Next, in step S1102, the creation unit 212 creates and stores a plurality of template images 410 based on the template setting information acquired in step S1101. The processes in steps S1101 and S1102 may be the same as the processes in steps S701 and S702 in FIG. 7A, respectively.

[0166] Next, in step S1103, a magnetic domain information derivation process is performed. The magnetic domain information derivation process is, for example, the process of steps S703 to S715 in Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B. Also, the process described in the second embodiment may be performed in step S1103. Note that here, a case where one magnetic domain image 300 is acquired in step S1103 (step S703) is illustrated.

[0167] Next, in step S1104, the processing unit 217 extracts the magnetic domain width from all the magnetic domain information (the magnetic domain information derived in step S709 and the supplementary magnetic domain information derived in step S714). The processing unit 217 derives information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width thus extracted.

[0168] Next, in step S1105, the processing unit 217 identifies the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width in the information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width. For example, when the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width is represented by a histogram 1010, the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width is represented by a class (range of the magnetic domain width). In this case, the processing unit 217 may identify a representative value of the class (e.g., an arithmetic mean value) as the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width. Also, for example, when the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width is represented by a function 1020, the processing unit 217 may identify the magnetic domain width at which the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width shows a maximum value in the function 1020 as the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width.

[0169] Next, in step S1106, the processing unit 217 determines the intensity of the laser light based on the value of the magnetic domain width corresponding to the mode of the magnetic domain width.

[0170] At this time, the processing unit 217 preferably determines the intensity of the laser light so as to satisfy the formula (2). In addition, the processing unit 217 preferably determines at least one of the entire front surface and the entire back surface of the magnetic body S as the irradiation range of the laser light.

[0171] Next, in step S1107, the processing unit 217 derives an operation command indicating to irradiate the laser light of the intensity determined in step S1107, and outputs it to the output unit 216. The output unit 216 outputs the operation command to the magnetic domain control device 910. As a result, the magnetic domain control device 910 irradiates the magnetic body S with the laser light of the intensity determined in step S1107. The period during which the magnetic domain control device 910 irradiates the laser light is, for example, a period during which the magnetic body S of the magnetic domain control target exists in the irradiation range of the laser light irradiated from the magnetic domain control device 910. The magnetic body S of the magnetic domain control target may be the magnetic body S of the acquisition target of the magnetic domain image 300. In addition, the magnetic body S of the magnetic domain control target may be the base material of the magnetic body S of the acquisition target of the magnetic domain image 300. For example, when the magnetic body S of the acquisition target of the magnetic domain image 300 is cut from a coil, the base material is the coil.

[0172] (calculation example) Next, a calculation example is shown. Note that this calculation example is not limited to this calculation example. Figures 12A and 12B are diagrams showing the results of this calculation example. In this calculation example, the magnetic domain width w of the magnetic domain image 1210 shown in Figure 12A was calculated by the method of the first embodiment. Figure 12B shows the calculation result of the magnetic domain width w. The pixel of the width visualization image 1220 shown in Figure 12B is the compared pixel 520. The position of the pixel of the width visualization image 920 corresponds to the position of the pixel of the magnetic domain image 1210 shown in Figure 12A. For example, the pixel value of the pixel in the first row and first column of the width visualization image 1220 indicates the magnetic domain width w of the pixel in the first row and first column of the magnetic domain image 1210. Also, in the width visualization image 1220 shown in Figure 12B, the higher the concentration, the wider the magnetic domain width w (in other words, the lower the concentration, the narrower the magnetic domain width w).

[0173] As is clear from a comparison of Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B, in the region of the width visualization image 1220 shown in Fig. 12B, the density is low in the region corresponding to the region with the narrow width w in the magnetic domain image 1210 shown in Fig. 12A (for example, the region on the positive side of the x-axis). Also, in the region of the width visualization image 1220 shown in Fig. 12B, the density is high in the region corresponding to the region with the wide width w in the magnetic domain image 1210 shown in Fig. 12A (for example, the region near the center of the x-axis). Thus, it can be seen that the magnetic domain information of the magnetic body S can be derived with high accuracy by the method of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0174] (Example) Next, an example will be shown. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to this example. In this example, multiple samples of 55 mm square size were produced from one coil of oriented electromagnetic steel strip manufactured without performing a process of magnetic domain control. By taking multiple samples from different places on one coil, multiple samples with mutually different magnetic domain structures can be obtained. In this example, all samples were made to have the same shape and size so as to satisfy the conditions stipulated in JIS C 2556:2015.

[0175] In the description of this embodiment, the magnetic domain image was acquired as described in the first embodiment. The magnetic domain image was acquired by photographing the entire surface (one side) of the sample. When photographing the magnetic domain image, the magnetic flux density in the sample was attenuated according to formula (1). Then, the magnetic domain image was acquired (photographed) 30 seconds after the attenuation started.

[0176] In the description of this embodiment, the histogram of magnetic domain widths, which is an example of information representing the frequency distribution of magnetic domain widths, is a histogram derived as described in the third embodiment. The range of each class in the magnetic domain width histogram is set to 50 μm. In the magnetic domain width histogram, the arithmetic mean value of the class with the highest frequency is set to the mode of the magnetic domain width.

[0177] In this embodiment, each sample was subjected to stress relief annealing under the same conditions. Specifically, the sample was kept at 800°C for 240 minutes or more, and then cooled. At that time, the average cooling rate was 25°C / h or less until the temperature of the sample was reduced from 800°C to 200°C. Furthermore, the average cooling rate was 100°C / h or less until the temperature of the sample was reduced to 50°C.

[0178] In this example, in accordance with JIS C 2556:2015, iron loss was derived for each sample under the same conditions using samples with a 55 mm square size by a Single Sheet Tester (SST) method.

[0179] The above-mentioned samples are divided into samples in which the magnetic domain control is performed by laser light of the same intensity, and samples in which the magnetic domain control is performed by laser light of the intensity derived based on the formula (2) as described in the third embodiment. In the following description of this embodiment, the former samples are referred to as comparative samples, and the latter samples are referred to as inventive samples.

[0180] Before irradiating the laser beam, the iron loss of the comparative sample was measured. Then, the intensity Ua was irradiated to the entire surface of the comparative sample with the laser beam of 1.5 mJ / mm2. 2 Then, the magnetic domain was controlled by irradiating the magnetic film with a laser beam. Next, a histogram of the domain widths of the comparative samples in which the domain control was performed was derived.

[0181] Next, the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width was identified from a histogram of the magnetic domain width of the comparative sample for which magnetic domain control was performed. Next, the comparative sample that had been subjected to the magnetic domain control was subjected to stress relief annealing.

[0182] Next, a histogram of the magnetic domain width of the comparative sample that had been subjected to stress relief annealing was derived. Next, the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width was identified from a histogram of the magnetic domain width of the comparative sample that had been subjected to stress relief annealing. The above was carried out for each comparative sample individually. Table 1 shows the results for the eight comparative samples.

[0183] [Table 1]

[0184] In Table 1, "mode after annealing" is the mode of the magnetic domain width of the comparative sample that underwent stress relief annealing. "Iron loss ratio" is the value obtained by dividing the iron loss of the comparative sample that underwent magnetic domain control by the iron loss of the comparative sample before being irradiated with laser light. "Mode during magnetic domain control" is the mode of the magnetic domain width of the comparative sample that underwent magnetic domain control.

[0185] The iron loss of the sample for the invention example was also measured before the laser light was irradiated. Also, a histogram of the magnetic domain width of the sample for the invention example was derived as described in the third embodiment. Next, the most frequent value (μm) of the magnetic domain width was determined from the histogram of the magnetic domain width of the sample for the invention example before the laser light irradiation, and W m It was decided.

[0186] Next, the entire surface of the sample for the invention example was irradiated with a laser beam having an intensity Ua that satisfied the formula (2), thereby performing magnetic domain control. Next, the iron loss of the sample for the invention example in which the magnetic domain control was performed was derived, and a histogram of the magnetic domain width of the sample for the invention example in which the magnetic domain control was performed was also derived.

[0187] Next, the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width was identified from a histogram of the magnetic domain width of the sample for the invention example in which magnetic domain control was performed. Next, stress relief annealing was performed on the samples for the invention examples in which the magnetic domains had been controlled.

[0188] Next, a histogram of the magnetic domain width of the inventive sample that had been subjected to stress relief annealing was derived. Next, the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width was identified from a histogram of the magnetic domain width of the sample for the invention example that had been subjected to stress relief annealing. The above was carried out for each inventive sample separately. Table 2 shows the results for the eight inventive samples.

[0189] [Table 2]

[0190] In Table 2, "mode after annealing" is the mode of magnetic domain width of the samples for the invention example that underwent stress relief annealing. As explained in the third embodiment, in Tables 1 and 2, "mode after annealing" corresponds to the mode of magnetic domain width before magnetic domain control. "Iron loss ratio" is the value obtained by dividing the iron loss of the sample for the invention example that underwent magnetic domain control by the iron loss of the sample for the invention example before it was irradiated with laser light. "Mode during magnetic domain control" is the mode of magnetic domain width of the samples for the invention example that underwent magnetic domain control.

[0191] As shown in Table 1, when the laser light intensity Ua was kept constant regardless of the magnetic domain structure, if the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width before magnetic domain control was 700 μm or more, it was not possible to make the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width after magnetic domain control (irradiation of laser light) in the range of 200 μm or more and less than 400 μm (see No. 3 to No. 8 "Most frequent value during magnetic domain control" in Table 1).

[0192] On the other hand, as shown in Table 2, when a laser beam with an intensity Ua that satisfies formula (2) is irradiated, even if the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width before magnetic domain control is 700 μm or more, the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width after magnetic domain control (laser beam irradiation) can be set to a range of 200 μm or more and less than 400 μm (see Nos. 3 to 8 "Most frequent value during magnetic domain control" in Table 2). As a result, when a laser beam with an intensity Ua that satisfies formula (2) is irradiated, the iron loss can be reduced compared to when the laser beam intensity Ua is constant, regardless of the magnetic domain structure (see Nos. 3 to 8 "Iron loss ratio" in Tables 1 and 2).

[0193] (Other embodiments) The above-described embodiment of the present disclosure can be realized by a computer executing a program. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded and a computer program product such as the program can also be applied as an embodiment of the present disclosure. Examples of the recording medium that can be used include a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, and a ROM. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely examples of specific implementations of the present disclosure, and the technical scope of the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited by these. In other words, the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms without departing from its technical concept or main features. [Industrial Applicability]

[0194] The present disclosure can be used, for example, to obtain magnetic domain information.

Claims

1. A processing system for deriving magnetic domain information of a magnetic domain image to be processed, comprising: a comparison unit that compares a comparison region, which is a part of a magnetic domain image shown in the magnetic domain image to be processed, with two or more template images, which are images having the magnetic domain information; a magnetic domain information deriving unit that derives the magnetic domain information in the compared region based on a result of the comparison, There are a plurality of template images that the comparison unit can compare with the compared region, a plurality of template images that the comparison unit can compare with the compared region have different magnetic domain information; The magnetic domain information is quantitative information indicating characteristics of the magnetic domains.

2. 2. The processing system according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic domain information derivation unit selects, as the template image corresponding to the compared region, a template image that satisfies a predetermined condition from among two or more template images included in a plurality of template images that the comparison unit can compare with the compared region, and sets the magnetic domain information of the template image corresponding to the compared region as the magnetic domain information in the compared region.

3. 3. The processing system according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined condition is a condition using a degree of coincidence between the compared region and the template image.

4. the magnetic domain image includes a plurality of the compared regions from which the magnetic domain information is to be derived, The processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a supplementary magnetic domain information derivation unit that derives the magnetic domain information in the compared region from which the magnetic domain information has not been derived by the magnetic domain information derivation unit, based on the magnetic domain information in at least one other compared region derived by the magnetic domain information derivation unit.

5. 5. The processing system according to claim 4, wherein the supplementary magnetic domain information derivation unit selects the at least one other compared area based on a position of the compared area from which the magnetic domain information was not derived by the magnetic domain information derivation unit and a position of the compared area from which the magnetic domain information was derived by the magnetic domain information derivation unit.

6. the magnetic domain images include images of a first magnetic domain and a second magnetic domain having magnetic moment orientations different from each other; the template images include a first template image corresponding to the first magnetic domain and a second template image corresponding to the second magnetic domain; The processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the comparison unit compares a comparison region of the magnetic domain image with the first template image and compares a comparison region of the magnetic domain image with the second template image.

7. 4. The processing system according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic domain information includes information indicating at least one of a magnetic domain width and an extension direction of the magnetic domain.

8. The processing system according to claim 7 , wherein at least one of a magnetic domain width and an extension direction of the magnetic domain shown in at least two template images of the plurality of template images is different from each other.

9. The processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the comparison unit compares the compared region with the template image after rotating at least one of the magnetic domain image and the template image.

10. 4. The processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a processing unit that performs processing based on the magnetic domain information derived by the magnetic domain information derivation unit.

11. the magnetic domain information includes a magnetic domain width; The processing system according to claim 10 , wherein the processing unit derives information representing a frequency distribution of the magnetic domain widths derived from one of the magnetic domain images or a plurality of the magnetic domain images as the magnetic domain image to be processed.

12. The processing system according to claim 11 , wherein the processing unit performs processing for adjusting the magnetic domain width of a soft magnetic material based on information representing a frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width.

13. The processing system according to claim 12 , wherein the processing unit performs processing for adjusting the magnetic domain width of the soft magnetic material based on a representative value of the magnetic domain width in information representing a frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width.

14. the magnetic domain width is adjusted by irradiating the soft magnetic material with a laser beam or an electron beam; 14. The processing system according to claim 13, wherein the processing unit derives information representing a frequency distribution of the magnetic domain widths derived from the one magnetic domain image or the multiple magnetic domain images of the soft magnetic material before irradiation with a laser beam or an electron beam as the magnetic domain image to be processed, and determines an intensity of the laser beam or the electron beam to be irradiated to the soft magnetic material based on a representative value of the magnetic domain width in the information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain widths.

15. an irradiation unit that irradiates a soft magnetic material with a laser beam or an electron beam; The processing system according to claim 14 , wherein the irradiation unit irradiates a laser beam or an electron beam based on a result of the processing by the processing unit.

16. The processing system of claim 13 , wherein the representative value is a mode value.

17. The processing unit calculates the most frequent value of the magnetic domain width in the information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width as W m (μm), and the unit of angle expressed in arctan is rad, the strength Ua (mJ / mm 2 20. The processing system of claim 16, further comprising: a processor for determining an intensity of the laser light or the electron beam based on the determined intensity. [0010]

18. 17. The processing system according to claim 16, wherein the processing unit determines an intensity of the laser light or the electron beam such that a mode of the magnetic domain width of the soft magnetic material after irradiation with the laser light or the electron beam is 200 μm or more and 400 μm or less in the information representing a frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width.

19. 17. The processing system according to claim 16, wherein in the information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width, a mode of the magnetic domain width of the soft magnetic material before irradiation with a laser beam or an electron beam is 700 μm or more.

20. the processing unit derives information representing a frequency distribution of the magnetic domain widths derived from one magnetic domain image or a plurality of magnetic domain images in the soft magnetic material that has been irradiated with a laser beam or an electron beam and then stress relief annealed as the magnetic domain image to be processed; 17. The processing system according to claim 16, wherein in the information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width, the mode of the magnetic domain width is 700 [mu]m or more.

21. irradiating a soft magnetic material with a laser beam or an electron beam having an intensity determined by the processing unit of the processing system according to claim 17; A method for producing a soft magnetic material, wherein in the information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width derived by the processing unit, the mode of the magnetic domain width is 200 μm or more and less than 400 μm.

22. irradiating a soft magnetic material with a laser beam or an electron beam having an intensity determined by the processing unit of the processing system according to claim 18; A method for producing a soft magnetic material, wherein in the information representing the frequency distribution of the magnetic domain width derived by the processing unit, the mode of the magnetic domain width is 200 μm or more and less than 400 μm.

23. A processing method for deriving magnetic domain information of a magnetic domain image to be processed, comprising the steps of: a comparison step of comparing a comparison region, which is a part of a magnetic domain image shown in the magnetic domain image to be processed, with two or more template images, which are images having the magnetic domain information; and a magnetic domain information deriving step of deriving the magnetic domain information in the compared region based on a result of the comparison, There are a plurality of template images that can be compared with the comparison region in the comparison step, a plurality of template images that can be compared with the comparison region in the comparison step have different magnetic domain information; A processing method, wherein the magnetic domain information is quantitative information indicating characteristics of the magnetic domain.

24. A program for causing a computer to function as each part of the processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images