Three-configurational surface magneto-optical Kerr effect measurement system for an ultrahigh vacuum in situ study of ultrathin magnetic films

We have constructed a three-configurational surface magneto-optical Kerr ef fect system, which provides the simultaneous measurements of the "polar," " longitudinal," and "transverse" Kerr hysteresis loops at the position where deposition is carried out in an ultrahigh vacuum growth chamber. The prese nt system enables in situ three-dimensional vectorial studies of ultrathin film magnetism with a submonolayer sensitivity. We present three-configurat ional hysteresis loops measured during the growth of Co films on Pd(111), g lass, and Pd/glass substrates. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S00 34-6748(00)05310-7].