Scattering theory formalism for the magneto-optics of nanocorrugated ferromagnet surfaces

Abstract

A theoretical formalism that allows analysis of the magneto-optical response of nanocorrugated ferromagnetic surfaces is presented and its validity checked with measurements in expressly fabricated structures. The formalism uses conventional scattering theory to find the expressions that account for the power scattered per unit area, and finds that for particular light-scattering directions and incidence polarizations the topographic and the magnetic contributions to the scattered light can be separated. By comparing theoretical and experimental results the magnetic state of the surfaces and its field evolution can be extracted.