Scattering theory formalism for the magneto-optics of nanocorrugated ferromagnet surfaces

Abstract

A theoretical formalism that allows analysis of the magneto-optical response of nanocorrugated ferromagnetic surfaces is presented and its validity checked with measurements in expressly fabricated structures. The formalism uses conventional scattering theory to find the expressions that account for the power scattered per unit area, and finds that for particular light-scattering directions and incidence polarizations the topographic and the magnetic contributions to the scattered light can be separated. By comparing theoretical and experimental results the magnetic state of the surfaces and its field evolution can be extracted.

Magneto-optical Kerr effect in resonant subwavelength nanowire gratings

“…such that only the zero (specular, m = 0) order can propagate in the far field (|y| λ) input and output regions, being higher-order diffracted beams evanescent and confined in the grating region. From equations (9), (15) and (18) the SWG reflected and transmitted fields are given by…”

“…The magneto-optical (MO) effect can be used to actively control the behavior of resonant structures or to modulate field enhancements, and, conversely the very same field enhancements can be used to boost the MO signal, which would open new perspectives in device applications, particularly where the resonances have a metallic nature [11,12]. Also, the use of periodic arrays of micron size MO materials have been used to obtain the magnetic domain structure by means of the study of the MO properties of the diffracted beams [13][14][15][16]. The routes to integrated MO systems have been shown recently by different studies, such as those on nonreciprocal optical isolators [17] and sensors [18], or by opening up new perspectives, such as plasmonic interferometry [19,20], unidirectional plasmonic waveguiding [21], controlled molecular energy transfer [22] and random lasers [23].…”