TRANSVERSE KERR MAGNETO-OPTIC EFFECT AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF TRANSITION-RARE-EARTH ALLOYS

The transverse Kerr magneto-optic effect and optical properties have been measured in Fe and GdFe5 for the optical wavelength range of 0.35 to 1.0 μ. The metals were evaporated onto the base of glass prisms at 1×10-9 mm Hg vacuum. The properties were measured at two angles of incidence. The maximum transverse Kerr effect at a 60° angle of incidence is 5.55% for Fe and occurs at 0.7 μ. The maximum transverse Kerr effect at a 60° angle of incidence for GdFe5 is 1.9% and occurs at 0.65 μ. From the experimental measurements, the spectral distribution of the diagonal and off-diagonal components of the dielectric tensor were determined. Structure indicative of optical transitions was found in the absorptive parts of both components for GdFe5 but was absent for Fe. A discussion is given relating this structure to the conduction electrons in Gd. © 1969 The American Institute of Physics.