Over 40% transverse Kerr effect from Ni80Fe20

Abstract

We show how mixed s- and p-polarized light incident on a ferromagnetic surface yields large transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) signals. Fractional MOKE signals of over 40% could be achieved from transverse magnetization changes in 35nm thick Ni80Fe20, an increase of over two orders of magnitude compared with the standard MOKE configuration. Transverse MOKE signals from patterned structures were also improved by an order of magnitude. Calculations of the magneto-optical interaction show how changing the incident polarization controls the Kerr rotation and reflected beam intensity for opposite magnetization orientations.