Ellipsometric measurement of the Kerr magnetooptic effect.

A conventional PCSA ellipsometer has been used to measure the transverse Kerr magnetooptic effect. The ellipsometer null was first obtained, and the ellipsometric psi and Delta were determined from this measurement. Then measurements were made as a function of polarizer angle while A =+/-ø. The magnetic field applied to the sample was square wave modulated, and both the dc and the modulated light intensities were measured. dI/I was a linear function of cos/(1 +/- sinØ), where ø = Delta - 2P. The ordinate intercept and the slope of the resulting straight line were the real and imaginary parts, respectively, of dr(p)/r(p). From psi, Delta, and dr(p)/r(p) the material quantities n and Q could be calculated.