General Treatment of Anomalous Hall Effect and Kerr Rotation in Rare Earth Cobalt Systems

Abstract

Hall effect and Kerr effect in rare earth-cobalt systems are investigated theoretically and experimentally. The Hall resistivity originates almost from the anomalous part of the rare earth component. Its magnitude and temperature dependence reflect those of the magnetic moment of the rare earth. On the other hand, the Kerr rotation originates almost from the cobalt component in visible region. The Hall resistivity in the ferrimagnetic rare earth-cobalt systems, such as Gd-Co, reverses its polarity at the compensation temperature reflecting the reversal of the rare earth magnetic moment in the external field. The gradual reversal in the amorphous films is due to the inhomogeneity of the specimens.