ENHANCEMENT OF KERR ROTATION OF THIN Fe FILMS

The magneto-optical Kerr rotation spectra in the region 400-700nm is studied for single layer Fe films. Experimental and theoretical calculation show that in the whole measurement wavelength range an enhancement of Kerr rotation occurs when the thickness of Fe is smaller than about 150Å. The thickness dependence of Kerr rotation of single layer Fe and Fe/Cu bilayer is compared. It is concluded that the Kerr rotation is dependent sensitively on the optical constants of underlying materials and the thickness of magnetic layer.