Magnetic linear dichroism of infrared light in ferromagnetic alloy films

We have observed a magnetic linear dichroism effect for infrared light in f erromagnetic alloys at room temperature. The effect has been studied for Ni 80Fe20, Ni80Co20, Co90Fe10, and Fe88V12 thin films by measuring the transmi ssion of light polarized parallel and perpendicular to the magnetization di rection. Its physical origin and frequency dependence are explained from a two-current Drude-type model for the conductivity. A study of a single (thi n film) specimen is shown to be sufficient for obtaining the spin and angul ar dependence of electron relaxation times in ferromagnetic alloys. [S0163- 1829(99)50134-3].