GIANT FARADAY MAGNETOOPTICAL EFFECTS INDUCED BY MN2-XMNXSE( IN ZN1)

Zn1-xMnxSe films were grown by molecular-beam epitaxy on (100)-oriente d GaAs, with Mn mole fraction varying from 0.06 to 0.22. All samples w ere characterized by x-ray diffraction. The Faraday rotations of Zn1-x MnxSe films was measured with polar Kerr apparatus in the 1.5-3.5 eV p hoton energy range at room temperature and 10 kG magnetic field. The F araday spectra show two rotation peaks located at about 2.45 and 2.6 e V for all samples, and another peak located at about 2.74 eV appears f or higher composition (x > 0.14) samples. The Mn2+ transitions shift t oward the red with increasing Mn mole fraction. The Faraday rotations related to the interband transitions were not observed. The three Fara day rotations were due to the Mn2+ d-d multiplet transitions: (6)A(1) (S-6)-->T-4(2)((4)G) (similar to 2.45 eV); (6)A(1)(S-6)-->(4)A(1)((4)G )E-4((4)G) (similar to 2.6 eV); and (6)A(1)(S-6)-->T-4(1)((4)p) (simil ar to 2.72 eV), respectively. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.