The magneto-optical Kerr response of metallic magnetic multilayers has been
studied by determining the dielectric tensors (dielectric functions) for i
ndividual layers, including the magnetic and nonmagnetic interfacial layers
. The diagonal components of these tensors were determined using in situ el
lipsometric analysis, where the ellipsometric data were taken in real time
during multilayer deposition. The off-diagonal components were determined b
y regression fitting magneto-optic polar Kerr rotation and ellipticity data
to models supported by electromagnetic theory. The Voigt parameters (ratio
between off-diagonal and diagonal components of dielectric tensors) were d
etermined from these model fits. Higher magnitudes for the Voigt parameters
were found at interfaces, corresponding with stronger Kerr responses obser
ved in those materials. Five different magnetic multilayer systems were stu
died, including Pt/Co, Pd/Co, Au/Co, Cu/Co, and Pt/Fe multilayer structures
. The Voigt parameters for the magnetic layers and magnetic-nonmagnetic int
erfaces in all five structures were determined, and in turn the dielectric
tensors for the respective layers were also determined. (C) 2000 American I
nstitute of Physics. [S0021-8979(00)05317-2].