Efficiency evaluation of the transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect in magnetoplasmonic structures

Abstract

Abstract In this study the new approach to the efficiency evaluation of the transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect is considered. To assess the prospects for the practical use of structures based on TMOKE, the Figure of Merit (FOM) parameter is introduced, which is the product of the reflected/transmitted light intensity and the Kerr signal of the structure. Kerr signal defined as absolute value of the difference of light intensities at opposite magnetizations. It is shown that parameter Figure of Merit (FOM) in proposed form can give more information than the most commonly used relative value of TMOKE. The advantages of the introduced parameter are demonstrated on the example of a magnetoplasmonic structure with thin magnetite films.