Abstract
We present experimental studies on surface plasmon (SP) enhanced transverse magnetic second-harmonic generation (T-MSHG) in single-crystal iron films grown by molecular beam epitaxy at room temperature on MgO (001) substrates. We show that it is possible to achieve both strongly enhanced T-MSHG intensity and high magnetic contrast ratio under attenuated total reflection configuration without using complex heterostructures because MSHG is generated directly at the iron surface where SPs are present. The T-MSHG has a much larger contrast ratio than transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect (T-MOKE) and shows great potential for a new generation of bio-chemical sensors due to its very high surface sensitivity. In addition, by analyzing the experimental results and the simulations based on SP field-enhancement theory, we demonstrate that the second-order susceptibility of MSHG shows great anisotropy and the tensor χ(xzz)(odd) is dominant in our sample.
Highlights
Surface plasmons (SPs) are electromagnetic waves that propagate along metal-dielectric interfaces
We present a study on surface plasmon (SP)-enhanced magnetic second-harmonic generation (MSHG) from single-crystal iron film samples under the Kretschmann-Raether configuration [1]
A very large MSHG signal is generated under attenuated total reflection (ATR) condition because of the enhancement of the fundamental field [Fig. 2(a)]
Summary
Surface plasmons (SPs) are electromagnetic waves that propagate along metal-dielectric interfaces. One of their most important features is a strong enhancement of the electromagnetic field at the metal-dielectric interface with the excitation of SPs by light [1]. This field enhancement has many applications including enhanced harmonic generation [2,3] and an enhanced magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) [4]. The interaction between SPs and magneto-optical effects has generated much interest because of the potential for applications in bio-chemical sensors [5,6] and the magnetic control/modulation of SPs [7]. To achieve a balance between high quality SPs and a respectable MOKE signal, a number of experimental and theoretical studies have been carried out to optimize the magnetic multilayer structures [8,9,10] and noble metal/ferromagnetic/noble metal heterostructures have become the prevailing configuration
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
