Sensitive method for magneto-optical magnetometry: Polarization-dependent ROT-MOKE

Abstrakt

Magnetic thin films form the basis of modern spintronics, including novel types of MRAM memories. A precise magnetometric tool for studying local magnetic properties of thin films is of key importance for potential applications.

One of common magneto-optical magnetometry methods is ROT-MOKE, which measures Linear Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect (MOKE) as a function of external magnetic field direction.

We proposed a novel approach, so called Polarization Dependent ROTMOKE. In near-normal angle of the incident light, we suppress Linear MOKE, measuring Quadratic MOKE signal only. We utilize QMOKE to extract magnetic anisotropy and magneto-optical anisotropy of thin films of FeRh.