Enhancement of magneto-optical Kerr effect in Fe/PbTe and Fe/Pb bilayer films

Abstract

The magneto-optical polar Kerr rotation spectra and reflectivity spectra in the wavelength region 400–700 nm are studied for Fe/PbTe and Fe/Pb bilayer films. Large Kerr rotation enhancement with high reflectivity was observed. The experimental data of reflectivity are nearly consistent with theoretical calculation using Fresnel’s equations. However, the observed Kerr rotation spectra behavior is quite different from that expected by macroscopic optical theory.