Element-selective magnetization states in a Gd₂₃Fe₆₇Co₁₀ alloy, probed by soft X-ray resonant magneto-optical Kerr effect

Abstract

The core-level resonant magneto-optical Kerr effect of a ferrimagnetic metal alloy, Gd23Fe67Co10, was measured at the Fe M-shell and Gd N-shell absorption edges using rotating analyzer ellipsometry. The large Kerr rotation angle of several degrees was detected at room temperature. The signal was found to be large enough for element-selective magneto-optical experiments to trace the various magnetic events, such as all-optical magnetization switching.