Wavelength Dependence of Magneto-Optical Kerr Rotation in Co/Cu, Fe/Cu, Co/Au and Fe/Au Compositionally Modulated Multilayered Films

Abstract

The wavelength dependence of polar magneto-optical Kerr rotation angle (θ K ) was measured in compositionally modulated multilayered films (CMF) composed of Co/Cu, Fe/Cu, Co/Au and Fe/Au systems. The value of θ K is low and the shape of wavelength dependence is relatively flat in the CMF with modulation length less than nearly 20Å. However, a new θ K peak appears at around λ=560 nm in Co/Cu and Fe/Cu CMF and around λ=500 nm in Co/Au and Fe/Au CMF with large modulation length. These wavelengths correspond to the absorption edge of Cu and Au metals, respectively.