Abstract
Room temperature magneto-optical spectroscopy (transverse Kerr effect) (MOKE) and transverse biased initial susceptibility (TBIS) measurements have been carried out in amorphous Co x Y 1 − x thin films (thickness: 1000 Å). The chemical composition range studied was 0.50 ⩽ x⩽0.80. The MOKE, TBIS and coercive force show a marked dependence on x. For x > 0.65 the MOKE parameter δ k is positive and TBIS behaviour leads to a magnetization ripple contribution to the effective field. When x < 0.60, δ k is negative and TBIS behaviour may be explained by a cluster model of non-interacting magnetically ordered regions and random distribution of associated anisotropies. At x = 0.65, two magnetic phases become apparent from MOKE a TBIS behaviour. These facts are explained by the occurence of sublayer Co-enriched regions induced by surface segregation of Y. Optical effects in protective Y-oxide layers may be at the origin of the change in Kerr effect polarity.
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