Large Nonlinear Kerr Angle in non-Centrosymmetric Fe/AlGaAs (001) Heterostructure

Abstract

A large nonlinear magneto-optical effect is observed in a non-centrosymmetric Fe/AlGaAs (001) heterostructure. This effect is a direct consequence of interference between second-harmonic optical waves of magnetic and crystallographic origin, generated at ferromagnetic Fe interface and bulk AlGaAs, respectively. The longitudinal nonlinear Kerr rotation is measured to be 1.6 o along the [1-10] hard axis, about two orders of magnitude stronger than the linear equivalent. The rotational second-harmonic signal shows large magnetic contrast along all the in-plane directions, demonstrating a high sensitivity to the magnetization of an anisotropic interface in the longitudinal geometry.