Interference Effects in T-MOKE Spectra of Fe Thin Films at the 3p Edges - Theory and Experiment

Abstract

We present combined first-principle calculations and experimental results of the transversal magneto-optical Kerr effect (T-MOKE) of thin Fe films across the 3p edges using linearly polarized synchrotron radiation. We show that the experimental T-MOKE spectra at the 3p edges of Fe exhibit clear signals that are strongly influenced by interference effects. Ab initio calculated T-MOKE asymmetry spectra confirm the importance of interference effects. The comparison of experimental with calculated spectra reveals some differences that we attribute to metal/metal interface roughness that is not taken into account in the calculations.