Optics for element-resolved soft X-ray magneto-optical studies

The status of polarizing optical elements for the vacuum ultraviolet and soft X-ray range extending from roughly 50 to 2000 eV are reviewed, as are some of their emerging applications in magneto;optical studies utilizing synchrotron radiation. The optics include tunable linear polarizers and birefringent phase retarders based on multilayer interference structures, and circular polarizing filters based on magnetic circular dichroism. Magneto-optical capabilities enabled by these optical elements include measurement of Faraday and Kerr rotation spectra and hysteresis loops, and the conversion of linear to circular polarization and helicity switching. Circular polarizers combined with scanning zone plate microscopes yield magnetization contrast in transmission imaging. Examples using these capabilities to study polycrystalline Fe films and Fe/Cr multilayers are given. Resonant soft X-ray magneto-optical spectroscopies are especially relevant to obtaining an understanding of magnetism on a microscopic level in complex materials and nanostructures because their element-specific signals can be larger than in other spectral ranges. Combined with scattering and microscopy techniques these spectroscopies can provide depth sensitive and lateral spatial resolution on the nanometer scale. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.