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Title: Study of the magneto-optic Kerr effect of Co ultra-thin films

Journal Article · · IEEE Translation Journal on Magnetics in Japan (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States)

A system for measurement of the surface magnetooptic Kerr effect (dubbed SMOKE) has been developed. Measurement sensitivity is 5 x 10[sup [minus]4] degrees, and the absolute value of the rotation angle can be measured. The Kerr rotation, [theta][sub K], and ellipticity, [eta][sub K], of Co thin films deposited on glass substrates in ultra-high vacuum were measured in-situ. When the film thickness was greater than 800 [angstrom], experimental values were in good agreement with numerical calculations, in which the n, k and magnetooptic constant Q[sub 0] of 130 [angstrom] thick Co film were used. However, [theta][sub K], and [eta][sub K], decrease rapidly for films thinner than 40 [angstrom], and fell nearly to zero for film thicknesses below about 18 [angstrom].

OSTI ID:
5728661
Journal Information:
IEEE Translation Journal on Magnetics in Japan (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States), Vol. 8:3; ISSN 0882-4959
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English