A study has been made of the optical and magneto-optical properties of several Co/Pt and CoNi/Pt multilayered films that were fabricated by magnetron sputter deposition. Spectroscopic rotating analyzer ellipsometry and Kerr polarimetry were carried out to determine the fundamental optical and magneto-optical constants over the spectral range 320-860 nm. The constants determined were the complex refractive index and the first-order magneto-optic Voigt parameter. A total of seven films were examined and excellent reproducibility was observed in the measured material constants. These have been used to discuss the spectral dependence of the figure-of-merit, for each material, associated with the detection of the polar Kerr effect.

Abstract, -The fundamental optical and magneto-optical constants of muItHayered films of C.()/Pt. prepared by balanced de magnetron sputtering, have beel} determined using ex-situ ellipsometry and Kerr polarimetry in the spectral range 300-900 nm. These parameters have been used to design trilayer structures that enhance the nonnal polar Km etfect at short wavelengths. TIle design procedure is systematic and aims to ma"liimise Kerr rotation, for a particular system reflectance, whilst at the same time keeping parasitic Km ellipticity zero. Trilayers based on the design glass/CoPtJSi0 2 /Al, have been fabricated and their performance compared "With theoretical predictions.