Surface magneto-optic Kerr effect

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 2000 · Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1150496· OSTI ID:20215680

Qiu, Z Q ^[1]; Bader, S D ^[2]

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1. Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720 (United States)
2. Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439 (United States)

The surface magneto-optic Kerr effect (SMOKE) has significantly impacted research on magnetic thin films. This is due to its sensitivity, local probing nature, and experimental simplicity. The polar and longitudinal Kerr effects are characterized by a complex rotation of the plane of polarization of linearly polarized incident light upon reflection from the surface of a ferromagnetic material. The rotation is directly related to the magnetization of the material within the probing region of the light. Light penetrates into metals >20 nm deep, but the SMOKE technique derives its surface sensitivity from the limited thickness of the deposited magnetic film, which can be as thin as one atomic layer. Basic principles, experimental arrangements, and applications of SMOKE are reviewed in order to acquaint the nonspecialist with the technique and place it into perspective. (c) 2000 American Institute of Physics.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL
• OSTI ID: 20215680
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments, Journal Name: Review of Scientific Instruments Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 71; ISSN 0034-6748; ISSN RSINAK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
COBALT
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
IRON
KERR EFFECT
MAGNETIC SURFACES
MAGNETO-OPTICAL EFFECTS
PLATINUM
REVIEWS
SURFACE PROPERTIES
THIN FILMS