Vectorial magnetometry using magnetooptic Kerr effect including first- and second-order contributions for thin ferromagnetic films

Abstract

A new combination of different vectorial magnetometry techniques using magnetooptic Kerr effect is described. The processing of the experimental data contains the separation of linear and quadratic parts of the magnetization curves and determination of all three components of the magnetization vector in units of Kerr rotation without any normalization to the saturation values. The experimental procedure includes measurements with parallel and perpendicular polarized incident light and an external magnetic field parallel and perpendicular to the plane of incidence of light. The determination of the complex Kerr amplitude and the theoretic description of the data processing in assumption of small angles of incidence and also for larger angles of incidence using adequate scaling to the mean saturation value validate this vectorial magnetometry method. In case of an absent out-of-plane component of the magnetization vector, the complete reversal process can easily be reconstructed and interpreted by mono domain states and domain splitting. The measurement procedure and the processing of the data is demonstrated for an ultra thin epitaxial Fe film on MgO(001).

Modifying magnetic properties of ultra-thin magnetite films by growth on Fe pre-covered MgO(001)

“…The magnetization curves exhibit a hysteretic behavior for all samples. The measured Kerr rotation in saturation is rather small compared to iron films 30 but shows typical values for magnetite. 18,38 However, we like to emphasize that the 20 nm magnetite film grown on an initial iron buffer layer exhibits a three times larger coercive field than the 20 nm magnetite film grown directly on MgO.…”

“…For pure iron films, the Kerr rotation is normally ten times larger than for magnetite. 30 Thus, residual iron should amplify the Kerr rotation. While the Kerr rotation in saturation of magnetite with and without iron buffer layer is almost equal, the applied coercive field is clearly larger for magnetite with iron buffer layer (cf.…”

“…30 The MOKE measurements were performed in the longitudinal setup geometry using a HeNe laser (k ¼ 632.8 nm) at an incidence angle of 458. A photoelastic modulator with a modulation frequency of f ¼ 42 kHz is used to modulate the polarization of the reflected beam.…”

Enhanced Magneto-optic Kerr Effect and Magnetic Properties ofCeY2Fe5O12Kehlberger1, Richter2, Onbaşlı3 et al. 2015Phys. Rev. Applied9210410View full textAdd to dashboardCite

“…[41], but with different wavelengths and a rotatable Wollaston prism combined with two photodiodes for polarization detection, as used in Ref. [42].…”

Note: Vectorial-magneto optical Kerr effect technique combined with variable temperature and full angular range all in a single setup

“…This normally requires tedious physical changing of optical components, magnet, and/or sample orientation with respect to the optical plane to complete a single vectorial measurement. [5][6][7] We have recently presented a vectorial MOKE (v-MOKE) setup which provides simultaneously and quantitatively the two in-plane magnetization components during the hysteresis loop for a given orientation, allowing full angular studies. 8 It is able to perform automated angular-dependent magnetic measurements of different magnetic nanostructures at room temperature (RT), [9][10][11][12][13][14][15] without the need to change the Kerr geometry.…”