Influence of heterogeneous magnetism on magneto-optical properties

The influence of inhomogeneity on magnetic materials is considered; in particular, we examine how it affects the magneto-optical (MO) response of films and multilayers. From ab initio calculations of the band structure, the optical conductivity tensor is derived, providing the basis for computing the MO spectra. The presence of magnetic nanoprecipitates is taken into account by modeling the system as an effective medium or as an infinitely thin layered structure. A possible depth concentration distribution of the magnetic species is also accounted for, by considering the structure as a sequence of layers. This formalism is applied to some real systems constituted by magnetic particles dispersed in a hosting nonmagnetic matrix. The agreement between theoretical and measured MO Kerr effect spectra supports the validity of the model and establishes its predictive power, suggesting that the analysis of experimental MO spectra can provide information not only on the magnetic, but also on the structural properties of heterogeneous magnetic systems. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.