Optical and Magneto-Optical Measurements on Magnetic Rare Earth-Cobalt Alloy Films

摘要

The results of an investigation of the Kerr magneto-optic effect and the complex refractive index for pure cobalt and for four ferromagnetic rare earth-cobalt alloys of the composition RCo5 are reported. Magnetic data of all films are also given. The thin film samples were prepared by vapor deposition in ultrahigh vacuum and measured in situ. The effect of annealing and atmospheric corrosion on the optical and magneto-optical properties was investigated. The index of refraction, n, was found to decrease considerably after short exposure to air, while the Kerr effect increased. The rare earth alloys show an optical and magneto-optical behavior similar to that of cobalt. Dispersion curves of n, k, theta sub M, epsilon sub M, Q sub o, and q for wave-lengths of 400 to 616 millimicron are presented. (Author)