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Layer-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect in semi-infinite inhomogeneous layered systems

A. Vernes·L. Szunyogh·P. Weinberger
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Abstract

The contour integration technique applied to calculate the optical conductivity tensor at finite temperatures in the case of inhomogeneous surface layered systems within the framework of the spin-polarized relativistic screened Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker band structure method is extended to arbitrary polarizations of the electric field. It is shown that besides the inter-band contribution, the contour integration technique also accounts for the intra-band contribution too. Introducing a layer-resolved complex Kerr angle, the importance of the first, non-magnetic buffer layer below the ferromagnetic surface on the magneto-optical Kerr effect in the $\mathrm{Co} \mid \mathrm{Pt}_m$ multilayer system is shown. Increasing the thickness of the buffer Pt, the layer-resolved complex Kerr angles follow a linear dependence with respect to m only after nine Pt mono-layers.

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A. Vernes, L. Szunyogh, P. Weinberger. 2000-12-11. Layer-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect in semi-infinite inhomogeneous layered systems. https://arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0012176

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