ISSN:
1434-6036
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
Abstract The microscopic quantities that determine the magnitude and frequency position of peaks in the Kerr rotation spectrum are studied on the basis of first-principles band-structure theory. The transition metals Fe, Co and Ni serve as model systems. The magnitude of the magnetooptical Kerr effec (MOKE) is basically brought about by the spin-orbit (SO) coupling strength and it is shown that the Kerr rotation scales linearly with the SO-coupling. Exchange splitting (or magnetization) is found to influence the Kerr effect in a rather complicated way: enlarging the magnetization can both enhance and diminish spectral peaks. A strong effect is found for the dependence of the position of spectral peaks on the lattice spacing: a 3 to 6% increase in lattice parameters can lead to shifts of about 1 eV of the main MOKE peak.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01470918
