The advantage of magneto-optics to measure magnetic anisotropy constan
ts in ultrathin films exhibiting perpendicular spin anisotropy is repo
rted. This is illustrated for Au/Co/Au sandwiches with Co layer thickn
ess ranging from 8 to 15 angstrom. We stress the importance of prelimi
nary measurements always necessary to define the (H(parallel-to), H(pe
rpendicular-to)) region in which a homogeneous spin rotation occurs. T
hese results confirm the existence of interface anisotropy and lead to
its estimation K(s) = 0.56 erg/cm2 whereas the volumic term is shown
to be K(v) = 7.5 X 10(6) erg/cm3.