Magneto-optical properties of ultrathin ferromagnetic films

Conference · Sat Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:6109560

Bader, S D; Moog, E R; Liu, C; Zak, J

The surface magneto-optic Kerr effect (SMOKE) has been used to explore the properties of ultrathin ferromagnetic films. The ultrathin regime corresponds to thicknesses less than the depth penetration of light and includes the monolayer range. The ultrathin regime possesses unique magneto-optic properties: the Kerr rotation and ellipticity, in general, behave differently than in the thick film limit. Measurements and simulation in the longitudinal geometry for bcc Fe on Au(100) provide a dramatic example of the metallic reflector enhancement effect due to the nonmagnetic Au underlayer. The rotation enhancement is accompanied by a high reflectivity, as opposed to being at the expense of the reflectivity. Measurements in both polar and longitudinal geometries for epitaxially-stabilized fcc Fe films grown on Cu(100) and Pd(100) indicate the presence of perpendicular surface anisotropy, which suggests new approaches to realizing vertical data-storage media. 31 refs., 7 figs.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 6109560
• Report Number(s): CONF-890426-20; ON: DE89014640
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360104* -- Metals & Alloys-- Physical Properties
ANISOTROPY
ASIA
COPPER
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELEMENTS
FERROMAGNETIC MATERIALS
FILMS
GOLD
IRAN
KERR EFFECT
MAGNETIC MATERIALS
MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
MAGNETO-OPTICAL EFFECTS
MATERIALS
METALS
MIDDLE EAST
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PALLADIUM
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLATINUM METALS
SUBSTRATES
THIN FILMS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS