A DIDACTICAL PERSPECTIVE ON THE APPLICATION OF THE MAGNETO-OPTIC KERR EFFECT IN VERSATILE STUDIES OF MODERN MAGNETIC MATERIALS

摘要

Devices based on the magneto-optical Kerr effect are versatile and powerful tools for the magnetic characterization of thin films and multilayers. The magneto optic effects are introduced by starting from a simple pictorial phenomenology. The microscopic origin is also mentioned as well as a brief description of the macroscopic formalism. The main advantages of the MOKE magnetometry as compared to conventional magnetometry are briefly discussed together with different experimental configurations. Finally, the working principles and a detailed explanation of a Faraday cell based MOKE magnetometer is presented. The performances and the capabilities of the mentioned device are exemplified in case of magnetic thin films with transition metals.