Open AccessImproved longitudinal magneto-optic Kerr effect signal contrast from nanomagnets with dielectric coatings
Author(s) -
L. F. Holiday,
Ursula Gibson
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.14.013007
Subject(s) - materials science , optics , kerr effect , prism , refractive index , substrate (aquarium) , dielectric , electron beam lithography , magneto , magneto optic kerr effect , layer (electronics) , thin film , optoelectronics , resist , nanotechnology , power (physics) , oceanography , physics , quantum mechanics , nonlinear system , geology
We report on the use of dielectric coatings to improve the contrast of longitudinal magneto-optic Kerr effect signals from submicron magnetic structures. Electron-beam lithography was used to define disks in 22 nm thick Ni films deposited on Si substrates. The structures were measured in four configurations: as-deposited, through a fused silica prism using index-matching fluid, coated with ZnS, and using a prism on top of the ZnS layer. The modified samples show up to 20 times improvement in the MOKE contrast due to admittance matching to the magnetic material and suppression of the substrate reflectance. The behavior is successfully predicted by a model that includes the magneto-optic response of the nickel layer and accounts for the fraction of the beam intercepted by the magnetic structure.