SHG STUDIES OF MAGNETIZATION EFFECTS ON POLYCRYSTALLINE NICKEL SURFACES

The influence of surface magnetization of polycrystalline nickel sampl es on Second-Harmonic Generation (SHG) in reflection was investigated using picosecond laser pulses of 600 nm. The effect was measured for d ifferent polarization combinations with samples under normal condition s. For the azimuthal rotation of the magnetization anisotropies of (13 +/- 2)% and (19 +/- 3)% were observed for s --> P and p --> P polariz ation, respectively. The Kerr angle observed by SHG was found to be an order of magnitude larger (4 +/- 1)degrees than the linear Kerr angle . A hysteresis curve was recorded for p --> P polarization. No influen ce of the oxide layer was noticed.