Spectral and dynamical measurements using the magneto-optical Kerr efects

Abstract: The Magneto-Optical Kerr Eect (MOKE) is a powerful tool for studying the magnetic properties of various materials such as thin lm multilayers or magnetic nanostructures. This paper presents the construction of two systems for dierent MOKE measurements. The MOKE spectrometer is capable of measuring the magneto-optical Kerr rotation as function of photon energy between 1.55 eV to 3.1 eV (400 nm to 800 nm). Permalloy, Ni, Co and Ni antidot samples have been measured to calibrate the system. A large magneto-optical enhancement is observed for the antidot lm in the expected energy range. The time-resolved MOKE (tr-MOKE) measurements are performed by exciting the samples with magnetic eld pulses. The change in magnetization as a function of time is measured using continuous-wave light. When ready the system will be able to measure the magnetization in the time domain at a sub-nano second scale.