Linear and nonlinear magneto-optical diffraction from one-dimensional periodic structures

Abstract

͑Presented on 14 November 2002͒ Nonlinear magneto-optical diffraction from periodically structured samples has been studied using magnetization-induced second harmonic generation ͑MSHG͒. Several orders of diffraction were clearly observable in MSHG, along with a strong dependence on the magnetization. Sizeable asymmetry between the MSHG signal measured in positive and negative diffraction peaks, especially visible in second order, are explained by Fresnel factors. It was found that first-order diffraction hysteresis loops differ from all others by showing an ''overshoot'' at magnetization reversal, both in MSHG and in the linear magneto-optical Kerr effect. Tentatively this behavior is explained as due to inhomogeneous reversal of the magnetization in the stripes.

The diffracted magneto-optic Kerr effect: what does it tell you?

“…There are quite a large number of publications that have reported D-MOKE hysteresis loops [14,[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35]. Here we will review only those articles in which information about magnetic domains has been extracted from diffracted hysteresis loops.…”

Experimental observation of acoustic sub-harmonic diffraction by a grating

“…[18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] In these studies, the periodic structures that contribute to the nonlinear effect in diffraction can either be crystalline structures, 18,19 or be the ones induced by the physical effects such as magnetic field 20,21 and acoustic field. 22,23 In most cases, nonlinear optical materials such as thin coating 24 and nanoparticles 25 are used for making the periodic structures.…”

“…22,23 In most cases, nonlinear optical materials such as thin coating 24 and nanoparticles 25 are used for making the periodic structures. Due to the simplicity and the importance as the foundation to understand other nonlinear effects, second harmonic generation 19,21,24,28 and third harmonic generation 22,23,26,28 are the focus of the majority of the research works in this area. In addition, the generation of higher order harmonics such as fourth harmonic generation 27,28 has also been discussed.…”

Nonlinear optical diffraction by standing acoustic waves in a GaAs film

“…The first theoretical and experimental investigation of quadratic NOD was made in a periodically poled ferroelectric NH 4 Cl crystal, where the modulation period was comparable with the wavelengths of the second harmonic EMWs generated from the periodic structure [3]. Further theoretical and experimental studies of NOD were carried out in such modulated structures as ordered magnetic domain arrays [4][5][6][7] and photonic crystals [8][9][10][11][12][13]. One of the possible ways to modulate the nonlinear polarization in a crystalline medium is to excite a standing acoustic wave characterized by a periodically distributed displacement field in the sample with spatially localized nodes and antinodes.…”