Magneto-Optical Kerr Rotation of the PtMnSb Compound in a High Magnetic Field

Abstract

The polar magneto-optical Kerr rotation angle ( θ K ) for a polished surface of bulk PtMnSb was measured at 632.8 nm wavelength in high applied magnetic fields up to 15 T. The saturation value of θ K was 1.42° in the as-polished state, and it was enhanced to 1.75° by annealing at temperatures higher than 400°C. Simultaneously, θ K became easily saturated, suggesting that the magnetic anisotropy near the surface decreased due to annealing. The enhancement of θ K and the decrease in magnetic anisotropy are considered to be due to the removal of structural disorder caused by polishing.