Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Magneto-optic Kerr Effect (MOKE)'

Magnetic storage means storage of data using magnetised medium and is widespreadover the world today, especially in hard disk drives. Using this kind of storagerequires knowledge about these materials. A way to study thin magnetic materials isto use MOKE(magneto optical Kerr effect). A Moke-system is a setup to measure thinmagnetic films by shooting a laser and analyze the reflected beam.The purpose of this report is to document and if possible improve a MOKE-system,named HOMER. This includes temperature regulation, filters, amplifiers, opticalchopper, Helmholtz coils and a laser. HOMER was documented and some changeswere made. The PID-parameters were set successfully. A low pass filter wasremoved, which decreased the noise. Using an optical chopper and lock in amplifierhowever did not decrease the noise. A labview program was written to demagnetizethe samples in a certain time which seemed to work properly. The hall probe in thesystem was successfully calibrated.

We present a time-resolved Kerr microscope, capable of measuring the magnetization dynamics of samples grown on transparent, double-side-polished substrates.The magnetization is excited by a current pulse, using a coplanar waveguide placed beneath the samples. The Kerr rotation is detected with the stroboscopic pump-probe technique, using a probing laser, synchronized with the current pulse.We report benchmark measurements of the time-resolved Kerr instrument for magnetization dynamics in thin permalloy and FePd films. The experimental results for ferromagnetic resonance peaks have been compared with the values predicted by Kittel.<br>Vi presenterar ett tidsupplöst Kerr-mikroskop, kapabel till att mäta magnetiseringsdynamiken hos magnetiska prov tillverkade på transparenta, dubbelsdigt polerade substrat. Magnetiseringen exiteras med en strömpuls via en koplanär vågguide placerad under provet. Kerr-rotationen detekteras med hjälp av en stroboskopisk ”pump-probe” teknik som använder en ”probing” laser synchroniserad med strömpulsen. Vi rapporterar prestandatest av det tidsupplösta kerr-instrumentet för magnetiseringsdynamiken i tunna permalloy - och FePd - filmer. De experimentella resultaten för de ferromagnetiska resonans-peakarna har jämförts med beräknade värden från Kittel.

Les dispositifs photoniques magnéto-optiques (MO) sont l’objet d’une attention particulière pour leur capacité à améliorer la sensibilité des biocapteurs ou leur sensibilité au champ magnétique. Les effets MO, pouvant se manifester par une rotation de polarisation ou une modification d'intensité de la lumière sous champ magnétique, sont cependant plutôt faibles lors d’interactions simples (réflexion ou transmission) avec les films magnétiques classiques. Le dispositif proposé dans le cadre de ce travail permet d’exalter les effets MO. C’est une structure diélectrique planaire simple formée par un réseau 1D de résine photosensible (PR) déposé à la surface d’un film MO lui-même déposé sur un substrat de verre. Selon les conditions de couplage imposées par le réseau, des modes guidés (TE et TM) sont excités dans le film MO par la lumière incidente, augmentant ainsi l'interaction lumière-matière. Un tel couplage produit ainsi une résonance étroite qui se traduit par un creux (pic) dans le spectre de la transmittance (réflectance). Le film MO est un composite formé par des nanoparticules magnétiques (CoFe2 04) insérés dans une matrice de silice par un procédé sol-gel. Ce composite nano-structurable peut être facilement déposé sur des substrats classiques à faible température de recuit (90°C), ce qui n'est pas le cas de la plupart des matériaux MO utilisés dans les plates-formes d’optiques intégrées. Des exaltations importantes des différents effets de rotation de polarisation (Faraday et Kerr longitudinal) ont été atteintes par les mesures et les simulations grâce à cette structure résonnante toute diélectrique. Les principaux résultats de ce travail concernent cependant l'effet Kerr MO transverse (TMOKE). Cet effet induit un décalage spectral non réciproque de la résonance de transmittance (réflectance) lors de l'inversion de l'aimantation, résultant en une modulation d'intensité. Des valeurs de TMOKE atteignant 9,5% et 18,5% ont été mesurées respectivement en transmission avec T = 80%, et en réflexion avec R = 5%. Ces valeurs très significatives de TMOKE sont principalement dues au facteur de qualité élevé des résonances de transmittance (réflectance) du mode TM. La valeur de TMOKE pour un film MO sans réseau étant d'environ 0,01%, une exaltation de trois ordres de grandeur a ainsi été obtenue grâce à la structure fabriquée. Les valeurs mesurées de TMOKE sont bien positionnées par rapport à la littérature où, à notre connaissance, des valeurs maximales de 1,5% et 15% ont été démontrées expérimentalement par des structures respectivement diélectriques et magnéto-plasmoniques. De plus, des effets magnétiques réciproques inattendus ont été démontrés expérimentalement. Enfin, la structure proposée est un dispositif à faible coût, qui peut être fabriqué sur des substrats à grande échelle, est capable d'exalter tous les effets MO. Cela en fait une structure à fort potentiel pour des applications comme le contrôle non destructif, les capteurs de champ magnétique et même les biocapteurs<br>Magneto-optical (MO) photonic devices are currently highly desirable because of their ability to improve the sensitivity of biosensors or their sensitivity to the magnetic field. However, MO effects being rather small through classical magnetic films, it is relevant to find ways to enhance such effects which can manifest as light polarization rotation or intensity modification under magnetic field. The proposed device in this work to enhance MO effects is an all-dielectric planar structure formed by a 1D photoresist (PR) grating deposited on top of a MO film itself deposited on a glass substrate. Under coupling conditions through the grating, guided-modes (TE and TM) with narrow resonances are excited in the MO film by the incident light, increasing hence the light-matter interaction. Such coupling results as a dip (peak) in the transmittance (reflectance) spectrum. The MO film is a composite formed by magnetic nanoparticles (CoFe2 04) embedded in a silica matrix and obtained through sol-gel process. This nano-structurable composite can be easily deposited on common substrates with low annealing temperature (90°C), which is not the case of the most MO materials used within integrated optics platforms. Large enhancements of the different non-reciprocal polarization rotation effects (such as Faraday and longitudinal MO Kerr) were achieved experimentally and numerically through the all-dielectric resonant structure. The main results of this work concern the transverse MO Kerr effect (TMOKE). This effect induces a non-reciprocal spectral shift of the transmittance (reflectance) resonance upon magnetization reversal, resulting in an intensity modulation effect. TMOKE values up to 9.5% and 18.5% were measured respectively in transmission with T = 80% and in reflection with R = 5%. These large TMOKE values are mainly due to the high quality factor of TM transmittance (reflectance) resonances. The TMOKE signal for a single MO film is around 0.01%, hence an enhancement with three orders of magnitude was achieved through the fabricated structure. The reached measured TMOKE values are highly competitive with the literature where, to our knowledge, maximum values of 1.5% and 15% were experimentally demonstrated respectively through all-dielectric and magneto-plasmonic structures. Moreover, unexpected reciprocal magnetic effects were experimentally evidenced. Finally, the proposed all-dielectric structure is a low-cost device, which can be fabricated on large scale substrate, and able to enhance all the MO effects. Hence, it is a promising structure for non-destructive testing, magnetic field sensing and even biosensing

Due to the ever-increasing worldwide consumption of memory for digital information, new technologies for higher capacity and faster data storage systems have been the focus of research and development. A step towards achieving higher data storage densities or magnetic recording media is the concept of bit patterned media, where the magnetic recording layer is divided up into magnetically isolated bit units. This approach is one of the most promising technologies for increasing data storage densities and could be implemented by nanostructuring the wafer. Therefore, the fabrication of the appropriate nanostructures on a small scale and then be able to manufacture these structures on an industrial scale is one of the problems where science and industry are working on a solution. In addition, the answer to the open question about the influence that patterning on the nano length scale has on the magnetic properties is of great interest. The main goal of this thesis is to answer the open question, which magnetic properties can be tailored by a modification of the surface texture on the nanometre length scale. For this purpose the following properties: anisotropy, remanence, coercivity, switching field distribution, saturation magnetisation, Gilbert damping, and inhomogeneous linebroadening were compared between planar two dimensional thin ferromagnetic films and three dimensional magnetic structures. In addition, the influences of the tailored morphology on the intergranular or the exchange coupling between the structures, which is called interdot exchange coupling, was investigated. For the ferromagnetic thin films, the focus of the investigations was on the granular CoCrPt:SiO2 and [Co/Pd] layer, which currently are the state-of-the-art material for magnetic data storage media. These materials are characterised by their high coercivity and high perpendicular anisotropy, which has a low spatial distribution in the preferred direction of magnetisation. In this work the pre-structured GaSb(001) substrate with self-assembled periodic nanocone structures at the surface are used. The preparation by ion beam erosion of these structures is simple, fast, and highly reproducible and therefore this method is particularly beneficial for fundamental research. To compare the 2D thin films with the 3D magnetic structures, besides the pre-structured specimen, planar samples were also fabricated. The first sample series prepared was coated by Py. Due to the fact that the magnetic properties of this material are well-known, it was also possible to do some OOMMF simulations in addition to the VNA-FMR and MOKE measurements. Afterwards two planar samples with CoCrPt and CoCrPt:SiO2 were prepared. The planar CoCrPt:SiO2 samples were Co+ ion implanted to study the influence of such irradiation on the intergranular and interdot exchange coupling, switching field distribution, and in particular on the spin dynamics. Moreover, both samples were measured by TRMOKE in order to obtain information about the spin dynamics. Subsequently, the perpendicular storage media materials CoCrPt:SiO2 and [Co/Pd] were deposited on a prestructured GaSb(001) nanocone substrate surface. These sample series were measured by MOKE, SQUID, and vector-VSM. The measurements demonstrate the influence of the periodicity and height of the nanocones on the intergranular and interdot exchange coupling. They also show the reorientation of the magnetisation with respect to the curvature of the substrate template and furthermore, the morphology-induced influences on the magnetic domains. From the comparison between the results for the planar and the pre-structured samples, a decrease of the interdot exchange coupling was observed, which scales together with the periodicity of the nanocone pattern. In addition, it was shown that for all samples with thin magnetic films on nanocones,the magnetisation aligns along the curvature of the underlying nanocone structure. For Py on nanocones, planar granular CoCrPt:SiO2, and planar granular CoCrPt, measurements by VNA-FMR and TRMOKE could be carried out, which yielded information about the spin dynamics. The results obtained for both of the planar sample are comparable to values from the literature for the Gilbert damping. The results for the Py samples showed that the commonly used 2D model resonance condition is, in case of a 3D magnetic structure, no longer valid due to the alignment of the magnetisation along the underlying substrate structure and therefore an new model has to be derived<br>Aufgrund des weltweiten, immer weiter steigenden Bedarfs an Speicherplatz von digitalen Information, sind neue Technologien für größere und schnellere Speichermedien im Fokus von Forschung und Entwicklung. Ein Schritt hin zu einer höheren Speicherdichte in der magnetischen Datenspeicherung ist dabei das sogenannte Konzept der ”Bit patterned media”, das definierte Informationseinheiten auf regelmäßig angeordneten Nanostrukturen beschreibt. Dieser Ansatz ist einer der derzeit vielversprechendsten Optionen die Speicherdichte zu erhöhen. Dabei ist die Herstellung der benötigten Nanostrukturen und deren Skalierung hin zu makroskopischen Dimensionen eines der Probleme an deren Lösung die Wissenschaft und Industrie derzeit arbeitet. Desweiteren ist die Antwort auf die noch offene Frage nach der Beeinflussung der nanoskaligen Strukturen auf die magnetischen Eigenschaften von großem Interesse. Das Hauptziel in dieser Arbeit ist es, einen Beitrag zur Beantwortung der Frage, welche magnetischen Eigenschaften sich durch eine Veränderung der Oberflächenstruktur im Nanometerbereich beeinflussen lassen, zu leisten. Hierzu wurden die folgenden Eigenschaften, wie zum Beispiel die Anisotropie, Remanenz,Koerzitivität, Schaltfeldverteilung, Sättigungsmagnetisierung, Gilbertdämpfung und inhomogene Linienverbreiterung von planaren zweidimensionalen dünnen ferromagnetische Schichten mit denen von dreidimensionalen magnetischen Strukturen verglichen. Zusätzlich wurde der Einfluss der angegpassten Morphologie auf die intergranularen- beziehungsweise auf die zwischen den Strukturen wirkende (interdot) Austauschkopplung untersucht. Der Hauptaugenmerk bei den ferromagnetisch dünnen Schichten lag dabei auf den granularen CoCrPt:SiO2 und [Co/Pd] Filmen, die heutzutage ein Standardmaterial für die magnetischen Speichermedien darstellen. Diese Materialien zeichnen sich durch eine hohe Koerzivität und senkrechte Anisotropie, mit geringer räumlicher Verteilung der Vorzugsrichtung der Magnetisierung, aus. Die hier vorgestellten vorstrukturierten GaSb(001) Substrate mit selbstordnenden periodischen Nanokegeln auf der Oberfläche, sind mittels Ionenstrahlerosion einfach, schnell und sehr gut reproduzierbar herzustellen. Deshalb ist diese Methode besonders für die Grundlagenforschung von Vorteil. Um einen Vergleich zwischen 2D Filmen und 3D Strukturen ziehen zu können, wurden neben den vorstrukturierten Substraten auch planare Proben beschichtet. Eine erste Versuchsreihe wurde mit einem dünnen Py Film präpariert. Da dessen magnetische Eigenschaften wohlbekannt sind, konnten neben den Untersuchungen mit VNA-FMR und MOKE auch einige OOMF Simulationen erstellt werden. Danach wurden zwei Proben mit planarem CoCrPt beziehungsweise CoCrPt:SiO2 untersucht. Bei den planaren CoCrPt:SiO2 Proben wurden außerdem noch Co+ Ionen implantiert, um deren Auswirkungen auf die intergranulare Austauschkopplung, Schaltfeldverteilung und besonders auf die Spindynamik zu bestimmen. Bei beiden Probensystemen konnte zusätzlich die Spindynamik mittels zeitaufgelöstem MOKE gemessen werden. Im Anschluss wurden die beiden senkrechten Speichermedien CoCrPt:SiO2 and [Co/Pd] auf Substraten mit Nanokegeln vorstrukturierten GaSb(001) Oberflächen abgeschieden. Diese Proben wurden mit MFM, MOKE, SQUID und Vektor-VSM vermessen. Aus den Messungen konnnten dann die Einflüsse auf die intergranulare- beziehungsweise interdot Austauschkopplung in Abhängigkeit von der Periodizität und Höhe der Nanokegel bestimmt werden, sowie die Umorientierung der Magnetisierung bezüglich der Substratkrümmung und den Morphologie induzierten Einfluss auf die magnetischen Domänen. Anhand der Vergleiche zwischen den Messungen der planaren und den vorstrukturierten Proben konnte eine Verringerung der Austauschkopplung zwischen den Strukturen gezeigt werden, die mit der Nanokegelstrukturperiodizität skaliert. Außerdem wurde in allen dünnen magnetischen Filmen auf Nanokegeln gezeigt, dass die Magnetisierung sich in Abhängigkeit der darunterliegenden Struktur ausrichtet. Bei den Py auf Nanokegeln, den planaren CoCrPt und dem planaren CoCrPt:SiO2 Proben konnten außerdem mit VNA-FMR und TRMOKE Informationen bezüglich der Spindynamik gemessen werden. Die erzielten Ergebnisse, der beiden planaren Proben, sind vergleichbar mit denen, aus der Literatur bekannten Werten, für die Gilbertdämpfung. Darüber hinaus wurde durch die Messungen an den Py Proben gezeigt, dass die Theorie, des bisher genutzten 2D Modells, nicht mehr gültig ist, da sich die Magnetisierung entlang der Substratstruktur ausrichtet, und deshalb ein neues Model aufgestellt werden muss

Due to the ever-increasing worldwide consumption of memory for digital information, new technologies for higher capacity and faster data storage systems have been the focus of research and development. A step towards achieving higher data storage densities or magnetic recording media is the concept of bit patterned media, where the magnetic recording layer is divided up into magnetically isolated bit units. This approach is one of the most promising technologies for increasing data storage densities and could be implemented by nanostructuring the wafer. Therefore, the fabrication of the appropriate nanostructures on a small scale and then be able to manufacture these structures on an industrial scale is one of the problems where science and industry are working on a solution. In addition, the answer to the open question about the influence that patterning on the nano length scale has on the magnetic properties is of great interest. The main goal of this thesis is to answer the open question, which magnetic properties can be tailored by a modification of the surface texture on the nanometre length scale. For this purpose the following properties: anisotropy, remanence, coercivity, switching field distribution, saturation magnetisation, Gilbert damping, and inhomogeneous linebroadening were compared between planar two dimensional thin ferromagnetic films and three dimensional magnetic structures. In addition, the influences of the tailored morphology on the intergranular or the exchange coupling between the structures, which is called interdot exchange coupling, was investigated. For the ferromagnetic thin films, the focus of the investigations was on the granular CoCrPt:SiO2 and [Co/Pd] layer, which currently are the state-of-the-art material for magnetic data storage media. These materials are characterised by their high coercivity and high perpendicular anisotropy, which has a low spatial distribution in the preferred direction of magnetisation. In this work the pre-structured GaSb(001) substrate with self-assembled periodic nanocone structures at the surface are used. The preparation by ion beam erosion of these structures is simple, fast, and highly reproducible and therefore this method is particularly beneficial for fundamental research. To compare the 2D thin films with the 3D magnetic structures, besides the pre-structured specimen, planar samples were also fabricated. The first sample series prepared was coated by Py. Due to the fact that the magnetic properties of this material are well-known, it was also possible to do some OOMMF simulations in addition to the VNA-FMR and MOKE measurements. Afterwards two planar samples with CoCrPt and CoCrPt:SiO2 were prepared. The planar CoCrPt:SiO2 samples were Co+ ion implanted to study the influence of such irradiation on the intergranular and interdot exchange coupling, switching field distribution, and in particular on the spin dynamics. Moreover, both samples were measured by TRMOKE in order to obtain information about the spin dynamics. Subsequently, the perpendicular storage media materials CoCrPt:SiO2 and [Co/Pd] were deposited on a prestructured GaSb(001) nanocone substrate surface. These sample series were measured by MOKE, SQUID, and vector-VSM. The measurements demonstrate the influence of the periodicity and height of the nanocones on the intergranular and interdot exchange coupling. They also show the reorientation of the magnetisation with respect to the curvature of the substrate template and furthermore, the morphology-induced influences on the magnetic domains. From the comparison between the results for the planar and the pre-structured samples, a decrease of the interdot exchange coupling was observed, which scales together with the periodicity of the nanocone pattern. In addition, it was shown that for all samples with thin magnetic films on nanocones,the magnetisation aligns along the curvature of the underlying nanocone structure. For Py on nanocones, planar granular CoCrPt:SiO2, and planar granular CoCrPt, measurements by VNA-FMR and TRMOKE could be carried out, which yielded information about the spin dynamics. The results obtained for both of the planar sample are comparable to values from the literature for the Gilbert damping. The results for the Py samples showed that the commonly used 2D model resonance condition is, in case of a 3D magnetic structure, no longer valid due to the alignment of the magnetisation along the underlying substrate structure and therefore an new model has to be derived.<br>Aufgrund des weltweiten, immer weiter steigenden Bedarfs an Speicherplatz von digitalen Information, sind neue Technologien für größere und schnellere Speichermedien im Fokus von Forschung und Entwicklung. Ein Schritt hin zu einer höheren Speicherdichte in der magnetischen Datenspeicherung ist dabei das sogenannte Konzept der ”Bit patterned media”, das definierte Informationseinheiten auf regelmäßig angeordneten Nanostrukturen beschreibt. Dieser Ansatz ist einer der derzeit vielversprechendsten Optionen die Speicherdichte zu erhöhen. Dabei ist die Herstellung der benötigten Nanostrukturen und deren Skalierung hin zu makroskopischen Dimensionen eines der Probleme an deren Lösung die Wissenschaft und Industrie derzeit arbeitet. Desweiteren ist die Antwort auf die noch offene Frage nach der Beeinflussung der nanoskaligen Strukturen auf die magnetischen Eigenschaften von großem Interesse. Das Hauptziel in dieser Arbeit ist es, einen Beitrag zur Beantwortung der Frage, welche magnetischen Eigenschaften sich durch eine Veränderung der Oberflächenstruktur im Nanometerbereich beeinflussen lassen, zu leisten. Hierzu wurden die folgenden Eigenschaften, wie zum Beispiel die Anisotropie, Remanenz,Koerzitivität, Schaltfeldverteilung, Sättigungsmagnetisierung, Gilbertdämpfung und inhomogene Linienverbreiterung von planaren zweidimensionalen dünnen ferromagnetische Schichten mit denen von dreidimensionalen magnetischen Strukturen verglichen. Zusätzlich wurde der Einfluss der angegpassten Morphologie auf die intergranularen- beziehungsweise auf die zwischen den Strukturen wirkende (interdot) Austauschkopplung untersucht. Der Hauptaugenmerk bei den ferromagnetisch dünnen Schichten lag dabei auf den granularen CoCrPt:SiO2 und [Co/Pd] Filmen, die heutzutage ein Standardmaterial für die magnetischen Speichermedien darstellen. Diese Materialien zeichnen sich durch eine hohe Koerzivität und senkrechte Anisotropie, mit geringer räumlicher Verteilung der Vorzugsrichtung der Magnetisierung, aus. Die hier vorgestellten vorstrukturierten GaSb(001) Substrate mit selbstordnenden periodischen Nanokegeln auf der Oberfläche, sind mittels Ionenstrahlerosion einfach, schnell und sehr gut reproduzierbar herzustellen. Deshalb ist diese Methode besonders für die Grundlagenforschung von Vorteil. Um einen Vergleich zwischen 2D Filmen und 3D Strukturen ziehen zu können, wurden neben den vorstrukturierten Substraten auch planare Proben beschichtet. Eine erste Versuchsreihe wurde mit einem dünnen Py Film präpariert. Da dessen magnetische Eigenschaften wohlbekannt sind, konnten neben den Untersuchungen mit VNA-FMR und MOKE auch einige OOMF Simulationen erstellt werden. Danach wurden zwei Proben mit planarem CoCrPt beziehungsweise CoCrPt:SiO2 untersucht. Bei den planaren CoCrPt:SiO2 Proben wurden außerdem noch Co+ Ionen implantiert, um deren Auswirkungen auf die intergranulare Austauschkopplung, Schaltfeldverteilung und besonders auf die Spindynamik zu bestimmen. Bei beiden Probensystemen konnte zusätzlich die Spindynamik mittels zeitaufgelöstem MOKE gemessen werden. Im Anschluss wurden die beiden senkrechten Speichermedien CoCrPt:SiO2 and [Co/Pd] auf Substraten mit Nanokegeln vorstrukturierten GaSb(001) Oberflächen abgeschieden. Diese Proben wurden mit MFM, MOKE, SQUID und Vektor-VSM vermessen. Aus den Messungen konnnten dann die Einflüsse auf die intergranulare- beziehungsweise interdot Austauschkopplung in Abhängigkeit von der Periodizität und Höhe der Nanokegel bestimmt werden, sowie die Umorientierung der Magnetisierung bezüglich der Substratkrümmung und den Morphologie induzierten Einfluss auf die magnetischen Domänen. Anhand der Vergleiche zwischen den Messungen der planaren und den vorstrukturierten Proben konnte eine Verringerung der Austauschkopplung zwischen den Strukturen gezeigt werden, die mit der Nanokegelstrukturperiodizität skaliert. Außerdem wurde in allen dünnen magnetischen Filmen auf Nanokegeln gezeigt, dass die Magnetisierung sich in Abhängigkeit der darunterliegenden Struktur ausrichtet. Bei den Py auf Nanokegeln, den planaren CoCrPt und dem planaren CoCrPt:SiO2 Proben konnten außerdem mit VNA-FMR und TRMOKE Informationen bezüglich der Spindynamik gemessen werden. Die erzielten Ergebnisse, der beiden planaren Proben, sind vergleichbar mit denen, aus der Literatur bekannten Werten, für die Gilbertdämpfung. Darüber hinaus wurde durch die Messungen an den Py Proben gezeigt, dass die Theorie, des bisher genutzten 2D Modells, nicht mehr gültig ist, da sich die Magnetisierung entlang der Substratstruktur ausrichtet, und deshalb ein neues Model aufgestellt werden muss.

A phenomenological theory of magneto-optic Kerr effect (MOKE) is presented to illustrate the connection between the magnetization and the polarization of light reflection in an isotropic medium. An apparatus measuring the MOKE of magnetic medium was designed and constructed. The surface magneto-optic Kerr effect (SMOKE) of a magnetic multilayer is a measurement of the average magnetization of several layers within the penetration depth of the light.<br>SMOKE measurements on a series of sputtered $ rm Ni sb{80}Co sb{20}15 A$/CU$(t sb{Cu}),$ where $t sb{Cu}$ is the thickness of Cu spacer layer, multilayers confirms that the coupling strength in these multilayers oscillates from antiferromagnetic (AF) coupling to ferromagnetic coupling as a function of Cu spacer layer thickness. Low-angle x-ray diffraction and SMOKE measurements on a series of AF-coupled $ rm (Ni sb{80}Co sb{20}15 A$/Cu20A) $ times$ N multilayers with bilayer numbers N ranging from 8 to 100 shows that cumulative interface roughness increases with increasing N, as do the saturation field and coercivity. This is possibly due to the out-of-plane anisotropy associated with cumulative interface roughness in multilayers.<br>An AF-coupled $ rm (Ni sb{70}Co sb{30}15 A$/Cu20A) $ times$ 10 was continually annealed up to 400$ sp circ$C in several steps, and the magnetic behaviour of the sample was evaluated as a function of annealing temperatures. $ rm (Ni sb{70}Co sb{30}15 A$/CU20A/Ni$ rm sb{70}Co sb{30} A$/CU20A) $ times$ 5 multilayer was used for investigating the AF coupling between magnetic layers of unequal thicknesses. Finally, an AF-coupled $ rm (Ni sb{70}Co sb{30}15 A$/Cu20A/Ni$ rm sb{70}Co sb{30}15 A$/Cu35A) $ times$ 5 multilayer was sputtered and used to study the magnetization of an AF-coupled multilayer with two different coupling strengthes.

Ce travail étudie le rôle de la densité de trous à l'équilibre sur la dynamique des charges et de la norme de l'aimantation de (Ga,Mn)As pour des densités de manganèse et d'impuretés fixées indépendamment. Des expériences " pompe-sonde " mettent en relation les dynamiques de réflectivité et d'angle de rotation Kerr. Deux relaxations sont mises en évidence. La première traduit un échauffement variable du gaz de trous entre 1ps et 100ps. La seconde traduit une diffusion-recombinaison des charges entre 100ps et 1500ps et évolue en fonction du rapport entre extension spatiale d'états d'impuretés, piégeant les électrons photo générés, et vitesse de Fermi. Pour compléter l'approche, une étude numérique de l'état fondamental des échantillons par la théorie de la fonctionnelle de la densité relie aimantation, température et densité de trous. Elle interprète la dynamique de la norme de l'aimantation à partir d'un diagramme de phase statique correspondant aux données publiées pour (Ga,Mn)As, qui est fonction de la température et de la densité de trous. Cette dynamique se ramène à celle de la réflectivité. Ceci permet de préciser les contributions de la norme et de l'orientation de l'aimantation dans le signal dynamique de rotation Kerr.

In the present work, the implications of ion irradiation on the magnetostatic and dynamic properties of soft magnetic Py/Ta (Py = Permalloy: Ni80Fe20) single and multilayer films have been investigated with the main objective of finding a way to determine their saturation magnetization. Both polar magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) and vector network analyzer ferromagnetic resonance (VNA-FMR) measurements have proven to be suitable methods to determine µ0MS, circumventing the problem of the unknown effective magnetic volume that causes conventional techniques such as SQUID or VSM to fail. Provided there is no perpendicular anisotropy contribution in the samples, the saturation magnetization can be determined even in the case of strong interfacial mixing due to an inherently high number of Py/Ta interfaces and/or ion irradiation with high fluences. Another integral part of this work has been to construct a VNA-FMR spectrometer capable of performing both azimuthal and polar angle-dependent measurements using a magnet strong enough to saturate samples containing iron. Starting from scratch, this comprised numerous steps such as developing a suitable coplanar waveguide design, and writing the control, evaluation, and fitting software. With both increasing ion fluence and number of Py/Ta interfaces, a decrease of saturation magnetization has been observed. In the case of the 10×Py samples, an immediate decrease of µ0MS already sets in at small ion fluences. However, for the 1×Py and 5×Py samples, the saturation magnetization remains constant up to a certain ion fluence, but then starts to rapidly decrease. Ne ion irradiation causes a mixing and broadening of the interfaces. Thus, the Py/Ta stacks undergo a transition from being polycrystalline to amorphous at a critical fluence depending on the number of interfaces. The saturation magnetization is found to vanish at a Ta concentration of about 10–15 at.% in the Py layers. The samples possess a small uniaxial anisotropy, which remains virtually unaffected by the ion fluence, but slightly reduces with an increasing number of Py/Ta interfaces. In addition to magnetostatics, the dynamic properties of the samples have been investigated as well. The Gilbert damping parameter α increases with both increasing number of Py/Ta interfaces and higher ion fluences, with the former having a stronger influence. The inhomogeneous linewidth broadening ΔB0 increases as well with increasing number of Py/Ta interfaces, but slightly decreases for higher ion fluences<br>In dieser Dissertation ist der Einfluss von Ionenbestrahlung auf die magnetostatischen und dynamischen Eigenschaften von weichmagnetischen Py/Ta-Einzel- und Multilagen (Py = Permalloy: Ni80Fe20) untersucht worden, wobei das Hauptziel gewesen ist, eine Methode zur Bestimmung der Sättigungsmagnetisierung zu finden. Sowohl polare magneto-optische Kerr-Effektmessungen (MOKE) als auch ferromagnetische Resonanzmessungen mittels eines Vektornetzwerkanalysators (VNA-FMR) haben sich als geeignet erwiesen, um µ0MS zu bestimmen, wobei das Problem des unbekannten effektiven magnetischen Volumens umgangen wird, welches bei der Verwendung von Techniken wie SQUID oder VSM auftreten würde. Unter der Voraussetzung, dass die Proben keinen senkrechten magnetischen Anisotropiebeitrag besitzen, kann die Sättigungsmagnetisierung selbst im Fall starker Grenzflächendurchmischung infolge einer großen Anzahl an Py/Ta-Grenzflächen und/oder Ionenbestrahlung mit hohen Fluenzen bestimmt werden. Ein weiterer wesentlicher Bestandteil dieser Arbeit ist die Konstruktion eines VNA-FMR-Spektrometers gewesen, welches vollautomatisiert ist, polare und azimutale Winkelabhängigkeiten messen kann und einen Magneten besitzt, der Proben, die Eisen beinhalten, sättigen kann. Von Grund auf beginnend umfasste dies zahlreiche Schritte wie z. B. die Entwicklung eines geeigneten koplanaren Wellenleiterdesigns sowie das Schreiben von Steuerungs-, Auswertungs- und Fitprogrammen. Mit steigender Fluenz und Zahl an Py/Ta-Grenzflächen ist eine Abnahme der Sättigungsmagnetisierung beobachtet worden. Im Fall der 10×Py-Proben findet diese bereits bei kleinen Fluenzen statt. Im Gegensatz dazu bleibt µ0MS der 1×Py- und 5×Py-Proben bis zu einer bestimmten Fluenz konstant, bevor sie sich dann umso schneller verringert. Die Bestrahlung mit Ne-Ionen verursacht eine Durchmischung und Verbreiterung der Grenzflächen. Infolgedessen erfahren die Py/Ta-Proben bei einer kritischen Fluenz, die von der Zahl der Grenzflächen abhängig ist, einen Phasenübergang von polykristallin zu amorph. Die Sättigungsmagnetisierung verschwindet ab einer Ta-Konzentration von etwa 10–15 Atom-% in den Py-Schichten. Die Proben besitzen eine kleine uniaxiale Anisotropie, die praktisch unbeeinflusst von der Fluenz ist, sich jedoch mit steigender Zahl an Py/Ta-Grenzflächen leicht verringert. Neben den statischen sind auch die dynamischen magnetischen Eigenschaften der Proben untersucht worden. Der Gilbert-Dämpfungsparameter α erhöht sich sowohl mit steigender Zahl an Py/Ta-Grenzflächen als auch mit höheren Fluenzen, wobei Erstere einen größeren Einfluss hat. Die inhomogene Linienverbreiterung ΔB0 nimmt ebenfalls mit steigender Zahl an Py/Ta-Grenzflächen zu, verringert sich jedoch bei größeren Fluenzen leicht

For the past 50 years, the magnetic storage industry has been the ultimate provider, covering the ever-expanding needs of digital mass storage. Up to now, scaling to smaller dimensions has been the core approach for achieving higher areal densities in conventional media. However, recent studies have shown that further miniaturisation is physically bound by superparamagnetic effects. Bit patterned media (BPM) is one of the most promising solutions for extending the areal densities beyond 1Tbit/in². The ability to magnetically characterise novel BPM is a key requirement for its future commercialisation. The work presented in this thesis describes the investigation of the Magneto-Optic Kerr Effect (MOKE) and the Anomalous Hall Effect (AHE) techniques, used in the characterisation of BPM samples. These samples were produced as part of this work using a customised subtractive fabrication process. Continuous thin magnetic films with Ptseed(10nm)/[Co(0.4nm)/Pt(1nm)]x15 composition and perpendicular anisotropy, were deposited using electron-beam (e-beam) evaporation, and subsequently patterned into magnetic nano-islands through means of e-beam lithography and Ar⁺ ion milling. In terms of the MOKE technique, a fully customised polar MOKE system has been developed and successfully used to observe the hysteretic behaviour of magnetic nano-island arrays with varying dimensions. An expected reduction in the MOKE signal due to pattering has been observed, as well as an additional signal reduction due to the scattering effect arising from the non-vertical sidewalls of the dome-shaped islands. In the case of islands with improved shape profile, the magnetic reversal of BPM arrays with islands sizes down to 35nm has been successfully detected, demonstrating a sensitivity of approximately 6x10⁻¹³emu for the MOKE system. In terms of the AHE technique, Au Hall crosses were deposited on top of the BPM arrays that had been previously characterised by MOKE, allowing the direct comparison and cross-verification of the results obtained by the two techniques. A revised Hall cross design, where the Hall crosses were generated by direct patterning of the Pt seed layer, has provided a significant improvement in AHE signal. This has allowed the detection of the magnetic reversal of individual sub-50nm magnetic islands, demonstrating a sensitivity of approximately 6.6x10⁻¹⁵emu for the AHE technique. The spatial sensitivity of these Hall cross structures has been experimentally determined, indicating a decrease in sensitivity with increasing distance from the cross centre and with decreasing island diameter. In conclusion, the sensitivity profile of Hall cross structures must be taken into account for the accurate interpretation of BPM characterisation results obtained by the AHE technique. Finally, some suggestions are outlined with regard to the future improvement of the developed characterisation techniques and the further continuation of the work presented in this thesis.

This thesis completes my work as doctoral student of the Scuola di Dottorato in Fisica, Astrofisica e Fisica Applicata at the Università degli Studi di Milano that has been carried out, starting in November 2014, mostly at the Laboratorio TASC of IOM-CNR in the premises of the Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste and FERMI@Elettra infrastructures, in the framework of the NFFA and APE-beamline facilites, as well as by accessing international large scale infrastructures and laboratories. The activity has addressed the development of experimental methodologies and novel instrumentation oriented to the study of the dynamical properties of highly correlated materials after high energy excitation. The science programme has been carried out by exploiting ultrafast femtosecond probes from the optical regime (Ti-Sa lasers, fibre laser oscillators) to the extreme UV-soft X rays at FERMI, to the picosecond hard X-rays from the SPring-8 and Diamond synchrotron radiation source. The sample synthesis of correlated oxides and its characterization has been performed within the NFFA facility and APE-group collaboration in Trieste as well as the design and construction of the all new laser High Harmonic Generation beam line NFFA-SPRINT and its end station for time resolved vectorial electron spin polarimetry. This report concentrates on the main scientific concern of my work that has been the relaxation of external perturbations in a correlated electron material both in the time and space domain. I have employed Photoelectron Spectroscopy (PES) mostly in the Hard X-ray regime (HAXPES), pushing the boundaries of its application to achieve a coherent perspective. The material I have mainly focused on is La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 (LSMO), of high interest for spintronics. This system is prototypical, yielding the highest simplicity in the class of transition metal oxides. In the spatial investigation, I have controlled with high precision the PES probing depth and I have observed the evolution of one spectral feature. I have identified it as probe of electronic hybridization and long-range ordering. I have studied LSMO films of 40 nm in three substrate-induced strain states (1% tensile in-plane, relaxed, 1% compressive in-plane) and a 18 nm film of (Ga,Mn)As (GMA), a well-studied diluted magnetic semiconductor. I have found that the electronic properties to be modified at significant distances from the surface, 4 nm for LSMO and 1.2 nm for GMA, while strain had no detectable effects. In the temporal study, I have employed HAXPES in pump-probe mode (TR-HAXPES) to observe the evolution of the electronic structure after intense optical excitation. A detailed dynamical characterization with optical techniques has allowed me to identify the characteristic time of the collapse of long-range magnetic order to be significantly longer than the one of elemental transition metals. I have ascribed this effect to the half-metallic character of LSMO. With TR-HAXPES I have observed that the whole electronic band-structure evolution is bottlenecked by the slow response of the magnetization, proceeding on hundreds of picoseconds timescales. Finally, I have described the techniques and the instrumentation that can be used to push these investigations to shorter spatial and temporal scales. This has been realized in the form of the NFFA-SPRINT laboratory, a facility open to users, which I participated in designing and developing.

The effect of optical coatings on the longitudinal magneto-optic Kerr effect response from 10 nm thin films of permalloy (Ni84Fe16) has been studied. Enhancement of the magneto-optic Kerr effect signal contrast of a factor 1.76 has been observed for P- polarized incident light on a trilayer configuration of aluminium, magnesium fluoride, and permalloy. A quadrilayer structure where the trilayer is overcoated with zinc sulphide enhances the signal contrast by a factor 4.05 for P-polarized light. The enhancement is also observed for S-polarized light, and is shown to be reproducible using nickel as the magnetic material and gold instead of aluminium.The experimental data are compared to a simplified theoretical model where the electric field components are calculated using a 4 x 4 matrix algorithm. The model is found to be inadequate in predicting the longitudinal magneto-optic Kerr effect response from complex multilayer structures. This is believed to be due to a simplification in the model disregarding the phase factors of the different components reflected off the multilayered samples.

We present the development of a far-field magneto-optical Kerr effect microscope. An inverted optical microscope was constructed to accommodate Kerr imaging and atomic force microscopy. In Kerr microscopy, magnetic structure is investigated by measuring the polarization rotation of light reflected from a sample in the presence of a magnetic field. Atomic force microscopy makes use of a probe which is scanned over a sample surface to map the topography. The design was created virtually in SolidWorks, a three-dimensional computer-aided drafting environment, to ensure compatibility and function of the various components, both commercial and custom-machined, required for the operation of this instrument. The various aspects of the microscope are controlled by custom circuitry and a field programmable gate array data acquisition card at the direction of the control code written in National Instrument LabVIEW. The microscope has proven effective for both Kerr and atomic force microscopy. Kerr images are presented which reveal the bit structure of magneto-optical disks, as are atomic force micrographs of an AFM calibration grid. Also discussed is the future direction of this project, which entails improving the resolution of the instrument beyond the diffraction limit through near-field optical techniques. Preliminary work on fiber probe designs is presented along with probe fabrication work and the system modifications necessary to utilize such probes.

This report describes the growth and characterization of thin amorphous samarium-cobalt alloy films. The samarium-cobalt alloy was grown by DC magnetron sputtering in the presence of an external magnetic field parallel to the thin film. The external magnetic field induces a uniaxial in-plane magnetic anisotropy in the samarium-cobalt alloy. The thin films were characterized with x-ray scattering, and the magnetic anisotropy was characterized with the magneto optic Kerr effect. The measurements showed a uniaxial in-plane magnetic anisotropy in the samarium-cobalt alloy films. It is not clear how amorphous the samples really are, but there are indications of crystalline and amorphous areas in the alloys.

Ce travail porte sur l’exaltation de l’effet magnéto-optique (MO) Kerr transverse induite par des «résonances extraordinaires» dans un réseau d’or périodique 1D déposé sur un oxyde de grenat magnéto-optique. La structure complète incluant le réseau métallique 1D a été conçue, simulée numériquement, dimensionnée, fabriquée puis caractérisée. Un algorithme de type RCWA (Rigorous Coupled Wave Algorithm) adapté au calcul parallèle a été développé et utilisé d’une part pour l’étude théorique des modes résonants dans les réseaux magnétoplasmoniques et d’autre part pour l’analyse des données de mesures optiques et magnéto-optiques d’ellipsométrie à base de matrices de Mueller. L’impact sur la réflectivité angulo-spectrale du couplage entre les modes Fabry-Pérot des fentes du réseau et les plasmons de surface à l’interface entre l’or et la couche de grenat MO est ainsi étudié, en utilisant les paramètres optiques et magnéto-optiques réels des matériaux. Pour cela, les caractéristiques optiques du substrat en sGGG (grenat de gallium et gadolinium dopé CaMgZr) et du matériau Bi:GIG (grenat de fer et de gadolinium substitué bismuth) sont au préalable déterminés dans la gamme spectrale 0,73 – 6,42 eV (193 nm-1,7 μm) par ellipsométrie à base de matrices de Mueller. Puis de même la dispersion des composantes magnéto-optiques du tenseur diélectrique est obtenue en appliquant un champ magnétique externe dans le plan, en configuration longitudinale ou transverse. Ces données mesurées sont alors utilisées dans les simulations. Il est ainsi démontré numériquement que grâce à l’interaction des résonances de surface et de cavité dans le réseau 1D l’effet Kerr transverse peut être exalté, éteint ou même de signe inversé, et cela sans renverser ou modifier l’aimantation de la couche magnéto-optique. Pour confirmer les résultats théoriques, une série d’échantillons comportant des réseaux de fentes différentes a été fabriquée par lithographie électronique et procédé de lift-off. Afin de reproduire les données des matrices de Mueller mesurées, les modèles ont été adaptés et optimisés pour tenir compte des imperfections des structures réelles. Les mesures expérimentales confirment l’exaltation de l’effet Kerr magnéto-optique transverse due aux effets magnéto-plasmoniques et prouvent la validité des modèles<br>This work studies the enhancement of the transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect by exploiting extraordinary resonances occurring in 1D periodic grating. The 1D periodic gold grating structure was designed, described, numerically simulated, and fabricated. A rigorous Coupled Wave Algorithm (RCWA) developed for parallel computing is used for the theoretical study of resonant modes in magnetoplasmonic gratings and for analysis of optical and magneto-optical data measured by Mueller matrix ellipsometry. The impact of coupling between Fabry-Perot modes inside grating air-gaps and surface plasmon mode at the interface between gold and MO garnet layer is studied via spectra of specular reflectivity and for the various angles of incidence. In a first step, the optical functions of the (CaMgZr)-doped gallium-gadolinium garnet (sGGG) substrate and the Bi-substituted gadolinium iron garnet (Bi:GIG) are obtained in the spectral range from 0.73 eV to 6.42 eV (wavelength range 193 nm – 1.7 μm). Subsequently, the spectra of the magneto-optical tensor components are obtained by applying an external in-plane magnetic field in longitudinal and transverse geometry. The obtained functions are then used for numerical simulations demonstrating that by hybridization of surface and cavity resonances in this 1D plasmonic grating, the transverse Kerr effect can be further enhanced, extinguished or even switched in sign and that without inverting or modifying the film's magnetization. To confirm theoretical results a set of samples, gratings with a different width of an air-gap, was fabricated using electron beam lithography and liftoff technique. To be able to reproduce Mueller matrix data from the samples, the models describing realistic structures were further developed and optimized. Experimental measurements of real structures confirm transverse MO effect enhancement using magnetoplasmonic effects and prove applicability of numerical models

This thesis presents HELIOS, an in-house laboratory for time-resolved pump-probe spectroscopy with extreme-ultraviolet (XUV) probe radiation. A wide span of pump wavelengths can be generated using commercial laser equipment while XUV probe radiation is generated via a high harmonic generation process in a noble gas delivering probe photons with energies between 20 eV and 72 eV. The XUV beam path features a time-preserving monochromator and was constructed and built in-house. HELIOS features an overall time resolution of about 50 fs when using 800 nm pump and 41 eV probe photons. An energy resolution of 110 meV at 41 eV photon energy can be achieved. HELIOS features two beamlines. One µ-focus beamline with an XUV focal size of about 20 µm can be used with experiments that require such a small XUV focal size as well as with different end stations. The other beamline features a semi-permanently mounted end station for angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy under ultra-high vacuum conditions. Experiments demonstrating the usability of HELIOS and the two beamlines are presented. A pump-probe measurement on graphene demonstrates the capability of determining a large part of the k-space in only one measurement due to the use of an ARTOF angle-resolved time-of-flight electron spectrometer. A non-angle-resolved pump-probe measurement on the conducting polymer PCPDTBT demonstrates the high signal-to-noise ratio achievable at this beamline in non-angle-resolved photoelectron-spectroscopy pump-probe measurements. The usability of the µ-focus beamline is demonstrated with time-resolved measurements on magnetic samples employing an in-house-designed spectrometer. These experiments allow the retrieval of element-specific information on the magnetization within a sample employing the transversal magneto-optical Kerr effect (T-MOKE). Additionally, a Fourier transform spectrometer for the XUV is presented, the concept was tested at a synchrotron and it was used to determine the longitudinal coherence of the XUV radiation at HELIOS.

碩士<br>國立師範大學<br>物理研究所<br>83<br>The surface magneto-optic Kerr effect (SMOKE) is a new probe for studying surface magnetism of ultrathin films. SMOKE is a potent- ial technique, because SMOKE can measure hysteresis curves of mo- nolayer-range magnetic films. Thus I established a SMOKE measure- ment system in the air. I tested Kerr effect of Ni(100) crystal and finished the measurement of hysteresis curves. Determining the best parameter of the measurement was also done. These provi- de for the preparation of SMOKE measurement system in ultrahigh vacuum. For fitting the UHV condition, the strength of the applied magne- tic field is inverse proportional to the gap between the magnetic poles of the electromagnet. Setting the analyzer angle to 0.3-0.7 degree will give the best signal-to-background ratio in our system. The longitudinal Kerr signal is more pronounced when the incident angle is large, at least 55 degree. However, the polar Kerr signal has opposite result. SMOKE hysteresis loops of longitudinal Kerr effect and polar Kerr effect of Ni(100) crystal are both very narrow. The behaviors of these hysteresis curve show low remanence, low coercive force and low hysteresis loss. For exploring the relationship between magnetization and structures, we intend to find the symmetry of the Ni(100) crystal by longitudinal Kerr effect. The result indicates that Kerr effect can show fourfold rotation symmtery of the Ni(100) crystal. And the easy axes of magnetization of the Ni(100) plane is along the direction of the nearest-neighor atom. The second easy axes of magnetization of the Ni(100) plane is along the direction of the second neighbor atom. The third axes of magnetization of the Ni(100) plane is along the direction of the third neighbor atom.

Spin-polarized electron beam has not yet been produced from an unpolarized electron beam using Stern-Gerlach type spin filter, because of the Lorentz force and Heisenberg uncertainty principle. At present, electron spin detectors and filters work on the basis of spin-dependent scattering of an electron beam from crystal surfaces. Single channel efficiencies of all the spin detectors for electrons are orders of magnitudes lower than the ideal one. Specular reflection type spin-polarized low energy electron diffraction (SPLEED)-spin detectors are having higher single channel efficiencies compared to the conventional Mott detectors. Moreover, multichannel detection can be realized from specular reflection type SPLEED-spin detectors. They have higher effective efficiency than the ideal spin detector. In order to develop specular reflection type spin filter, it is important to develop a spin-polarized low energy electron diffraction system. In addition, SPLEED system allows us to study the spin-orbit and exchange scattering at crystal surfaces. The general direction of the thesis has been the development of spin-polarized low energy electron diffraction (SPLEED) system. This system has been used to investigate the spin-orbit interactions on Ir(100) surface and exchange interactions of Fe grown on Ir(100). The thesis is organized into chapters as follows. Chapter 1 introduce the reader to some of the basic concepts of polarized electrons and the evolution of spin-polarized electron sources and detectors. Sources of polarized electrons are discussed with emphasis on photocathodes such as GaAs and strained GaAs. Widely used spin detector is the Mott detector which works in the higher energy range. The working principle of the Mott detector is discussed. Commonly used spin detector in the lower energy range is the LEED detector. The concept of the LEED detector is also discussed. Working principle and recent developments of specular reflection type SPLEED spin filters are introduced. Evolution of electron spin detector is discussed towards the end of the chapter. Chapter 2 discusses about the two instruments designed and developed during the course of the thesis. The first one is a spin-polarized low energy electron diffraction system working in the reflected electron pulse counting mode in UHV. This system is capable of measuring spin asymmetries due to spin-orbit interaction and exchange interaction. This instrument is useful in understanding structure and magnetism at surfaces as well as helps to develop new spin polarimeter based on SPLEED by evaluating spin asymmetries from different surfaces. All instruments connected to SPLEED system, measurement protocol and controlling software are discussed with some details. Along with this, standard characterization tools such as X-ray diffraction and magneto-optic Kerr effect measurements are discussed. The second instrument is a novel quadratic magneto-optic Kerr effect measurement system using permanent magnets, which is simple, compact and cost-effective. We have used rotating field method to extract QMOKE component in saturation. So there is no need for precise real-time measurement of magnitude and direction of the magnetic field as in the case of vector magnet. This instrument can easily quantify QMOKE coefficients for ferrimagnetic and ferromagnetic thin films and single crystals. Chapter 3 discusses SPLEED experiments carried out on Ir(100)-(1×5)-Hex and Ir(100)-(1×2+2×1)-O surfaces. The surface structure and surface preparation techniques are discussed. The stability of the Ir(100)-(1×5)-Hex surface is evaluated by monitoring the spin asymmetry as the function of time. Within 25 hours after the surface preparation, the profile of the spin asymmetry and the reflected electron count for Ir(100)-(1×5)-Hex surface resembles that of hydrogen adsorbed Ir(100)-(1×5)-H surface. The electron energy-angle of incidence landscape of reflectivity, spin asymmetry and figure of merit are recorded for Ir(100)-(1×2+2×1)-O surface. Many wide regions with a large figure of merit are identified in the E- landscape. Chapter 4 reports SPLEED experiments carried out on Ir(100)-(1×5)-H surface. The comparison between asymmetries evaluated for the Ir(100)-(1×5)-Hex surface after 25 hours and Ir(100)-(1×5)-H surface suggests that Ir(100)-(1×5)-Hex surface is transforming to Ir(100)-(1×5)-H surface, in 25 hours. This can be due to the adsorption of more than four Langmuir of residual hydrogen during this time. The energy-angle landscape of reflectivity, asymmetry and figure of merit are recorded for Ir(100)-(1×5)-H surface in an energy range 20 eV to 100 eV and angle range 10 to 60 . Many regions are identified as the working point for specular reflection type spin filter based on SPLEED. The surface structure and surface preparation techniques are discussed. The stability of the surface is also evaluated. Chapter 5 investigates the growth and magnetic properties of Fe(100) film on Ir(100)-(1×1), Ir(100)-(1×5)-Hex and Ir(100)-(1×2+2×1)-O surfaces. LEED, MEED, LMOKE and QMOKE studies were presented. The growth is found to be layer-by-layer at least up to 20 monolayers (ML) at room temperature. At higher deposition temperature, the MEED oscillations disappear around 3-5 ML. Magnetic anisotropy of the Fe(100) film grown on Ir(100)-(1×2+2×1)-O surfaces is evaluated using LMOKE measurement using Kerr microscope. Simultaneous in-situ LMOKE and MEED measurements were carried out during the deposition. Ferromagnetic ordering with an in-plane easy axis starts above 4.5 ML at room temperature. The Kerr rotation normalized by thickness is evaluated in the pseudomorphic regime and strain relaxed regime. The probing depth of the MOKE is found to be around 14 nm in Fe(100)/Ir(100). An antisymmetric component is observed in the re-magnetization loop measured using MOKE. This antisymmetric loop arises due to the quadratic magneto-optic coupling which is separated by symmetrization and antisymmetrization procedure. The observed quadratic magneto-optic coupling suggests that the analysis based on the assumption that the magneto-optic coupling is linear in magnetization has to be modified. In order to quantify the quadratic magneto-optic coupling parameters, a QMOKE measurement system is developed and measurements were carried out. Chapter 6 discusses SPLEED experiments carried out on various thicknesses of Fe(100) film. Fe(100) films grown on Ir(100) substrate with the thickness less than or equal to 4 ML is not ferromagnetic with in-plane easy axis at room temperature. The non-zero exchange asymmetry observed for 5 ML and above indicates the presence of ferromagnetic ordering. A difference in the profile of exchange asymmetry is observed between pseudomorphic and strain relaxed regime. Large spin-orbit asymmetry is observed for 1 ML and 2 ML Fe(100) which is unexpected from a low atomic number (Z) material. The reason for large spin-orbit asymmetry is still unknown. The energy-angle landscape of reflectivity, exchange asymmetry, spin-orbit asymmetry and figure of merit were evaluated for 21 ML of Fe(100). Many working points were identified for different types multichannel spin filter based on exchange interaction Finally, the various results are summarized and a broad outlook is given.

Spin-polarized electron beam has not yet been produced from an unpolarized electron beam using Stern-Gerlach type spin filter, because of the Lorentz force and Heisenberg uncertainty principle. At present, electron spin detectors and filters work on the basis of spin-dependent scattering of an electron beam from crystal surfaces. Single channel efficiencies of all the spin detectors for electrons are orders of magnitudes lower than the ideal one. Specular reflection type spin-polarized low energy electron diffraction (SPLEED)-spin detectors are having higher single channel efficiencies compared to the conventional Mott detectors. Moreover, multichannel detection can be realized from specular reflection type SPLEED-spin detectors. They have higher effective efficiency than the ideal spin detector. In order to develop specular reflection type spin filter, it is important to develop a spin-polarized low energy electron diffraction system. In addition, SPLEED system allows us to study the spin-orbit and exchange scattering at crystal surfaces. The general direction of the thesis has been the development of spin-polarized low energy electron diffraction (SPLEED) system. This system has been used to investigate the spin-orbit interactions on Ir(100) surface and exchange interactions of Fe grown on Ir(100). The thesis is organized into chapters as follows. Chapter 1 introduce the reader to some of the basic concepts of polarized electrons and the evolution of spin-polarized electron sources and detectors. Sources of polarized electrons are discussed with emphasis on photocathodes such as GaAs and strained GaAs. Widely used spin detector is the Mott detector which works in the higher energy range. The working principle of the Mott detector is discussed. Commonly used spin detector in the lower energy range is the LEED detector. The concept of the LEED detector is also discussed. Working principle and recent developments of specular reflection type SPLEED spin filters are introduced. Evolution of electron spin detector is discussed towards the end of the chapter. Chapter 2 discusses about the two instruments designed and developed during the course of the thesis. The first one is a spin-polarized low energy electron diffraction system working in the reflected electron pulse counting mode in UHV. This system is capable of measuring spin asymmetries due to spin-orbit interaction and exchange interaction. This instrument is useful in understanding structure and magnetism at surfaces as well as helps to develop new spin polarimeter based on SPLEED by evaluating spin asymmetries from different surfaces. All instruments connected to SPLEED system, measurement protocol and controlling software are discussed with some details. Along with this, standard characterization tools such as X-ray diffraction and magneto-optic Kerr effect measurements are discussed. The second instrument is a novel quadratic magneto-optic Kerr effect measurement system using permanent magnets, which is simple, compact and cost-effective. We have used rotating field method to extract QMOKE component in saturation. So there is no need for precise real-time measurement of magnitude and direction of the magnetic field as in the case of vector magnet. This instrument can easily quantify QMOKE coefficients for ferrimagnetic and ferromagnetic thin films and single crystals. Chapter 3 discusses SPLEED experiments carried out on Ir(100)-(1×5)-Hex and Ir(100)-(1×2+2×1)-O surfaces. The surface structure and surface preparation techniques are discussed. The stability of the Ir(100)-(1×5)-Hex surface is evaluated by monitoring the spin asymmetry as the function of time. Within 25 hours after the surface preparation, the profile of the spin asymmetry and the reflected electron count for Ir(100)-(1×5)-Hex surface resembles that of hydrogen adsorbed Ir(100)-(1×5)-H surface. The electron energy-angle of incidence landscape of reflectivity, spin asymmetry and figure of merit are recorded for Ir(100)-(1×2+2×1)-O surface. Many wide regions with a large figure of merit are identified in the E- landscape. Chapter 4 reports SPLEED experiments carried out on Ir(100)-(1×5)-H surface. The comparison between asymmetries evaluated for the Ir(100)-(1×5)-Hex surface after 25 hours and Ir(100)-(1×5)-H surface suggests that Ir(100)-(1×5)-Hex surface is transforming to Ir(100)-(1×5)-H surface, in 25 hours. This can be due to the adsorption of more than four Langmuir of residual hydrogen during this time. The energy-angle landscape of reflectivity, asymmetry and figure of merit are recorded for Ir(100)-(1×5)-H surface in an energy range 20 eV to 100 eV and angle range 10 to 60 . Many regions are identified as the working point for specular reflection type spin filter based on SPLEED. The surface structure and surface preparation techniques are discussed. The stability of the surface is also evaluated. Chapter 5 investigates the growth and magnetic properties of Fe(100) film on Ir(100)-(1×1), Ir(100)-(1×5)-Hex and Ir(100)-(1×2+2×1)-O surfaces. LEED, MEED, LMOKE and QMOKE studies were presented. The growth is found to be layer-by-layer at least up to 20 monolayers (ML) at room temperature. At higher deposition temperature, the MEED oscillations disappear around 3-5 ML. Magnetic anisotropy of the Fe(100) film grown on Ir(100)-(1×2+2×1)-O surfaces is evaluated using LMOKE measurement using Kerr microscope. Simultaneous in-situ LMOKE and MEED measurements were carried out during the deposition. Ferromagnetic ordering with an in-plane easy axis starts above 4.5 ML at room temperature. The Kerr rotation normalized by thickness is evaluated in the pseudomorphic regime and strain relaxed regime. The probing depth of the MOKE is found to be around 14 nm in Fe(100)/Ir(100). An antisymmetric component is observed in the re-magnetization loop measured using MOKE. This antisymmetric loop arises due to the quadratic magneto-optic coupling which is separated by symmetrization and antisymmetrization procedure. The observed quadratic magneto-optic coupling suggests that the analysis based on the assumption that the magneto-optic coupling is linear in magnetization has to be modified. In order to quantify the quadratic magneto-optic coupling parameters, a QMOKE measurement system is developed and measurements were carried out. Chapter 6 discusses SPLEED experiments carried out on various thicknesses of Fe(100) film. Fe(100) films grown on Ir(100) substrate with the thickness less than or equal to 4 ML is not ferromagnetic with in-plane easy axis at room temperature. The non-zero exchange asymmetry observed for 5 ML and above indicates the presence of ferromagnetic ordering. A difference in the profile of exchange asymmetry is observed between pseudomorphic and strain relaxed regime. Large spin-orbit asymmetry is observed for 1 ML and 2 ML Fe(100) which is unexpected from a low atomic number (Z) material. The reason for large spin-orbit asymmetry is still unknown. The energy-angle landscape of reflectivity, exchange asymmetry, spin-orbit asymmetry and figure of merit were evaluated for 21 ML of Fe(100). Many working points were identified for different types multichannel spin filter based on exchange interaction Finally, the various results are summarized and a broad outlook is given.

In the present work, the implications of ion irradiation on the magnetostatic and dynamic properties of soft magnetic Py/Ta (Py = Permalloy: Ni80Fe20) single and multilayer films have been investigated with the main objective of finding a way to determine their saturation magnetization. Both polar magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) and vector network analyzer ferromagnetic resonance (VNA-FMR) measurements have proven to be suitable methods to determine µ0MS, circumventing the problem of the unknown effective magnetic volume that causes conventional techniques such as SQUID or VSM to fail. Provided there is no perpendicular anisotropy contribution in the samples, the saturation magnetization can be determined even in the case of strong interfacial mixing due to an inherently high number of Py/Ta interfaces and/or ion irradiation with high fluences. Another integral part of this work has been to construct a VNA-FMR spectrometer capable of performing both azimuthal and polar angle-dependent measurements using a magnet strong enough to saturate samples containing iron. Starting from scratch, this comprised numerous steps such as developing a suitable coplanar waveguide design, and writing the control, evaluation, and fitting software. With both increasing ion fluence and number of Py/Ta interfaces, a decrease of saturation magnetization has been observed. In the case of the 10×Py samples, an immediate decrease of µ0MS already sets in at small ion fluences. However, for the 1×Py and 5×Py samples, the saturation magnetization remains constant up to a certain ion fluence, but then starts to rapidly decrease. Ne ion irradiation causes a mixing and broadening of the interfaces. Thus, the Py/Ta stacks undergo a transition from being polycrystalline to amorphous at a critical fluence depending on the number of interfaces. The saturation magnetization is found to vanish at a Ta concentration of about 10–15 at.% in the Py layers. The samples possess a small uniaxial anisotropy, which remains virtually unaffected by the ion fluence, but slightly reduces with an increasing number of Py/Ta interfaces. In addition to magnetostatics, the dynamic properties of the samples have been investigated as well. The Gilbert damping parameter α increases with both increasing number of Py/Ta interfaces and higher ion fluences, with the former having a stronger influence. The inhomogeneous linewidth broadening ΔB0 increases as well with increasing number of Py/Ta interfaces, but slightly decreases for higher ion fluences.<br>In dieser Dissertation ist der Einfluss von Ionenbestrahlung auf die magnetostatischen und dynamischen Eigenschaften von weichmagnetischen Py/Ta-Einzel- und Multilagen (Py = Permalloy: Ni80Fe20) untersucht worden, wobei das Hauptziel gewesen ist, eine Methode zur Bestimmung der Sättigungsmagnetisierung zu finden. Sowohl polare magneto-optische Kerr-Effektmessungen (MOKE) als auch ferromagnetische Resonanzmessungen mittels eines Vektornetzwerkanalysators (VNA-FMR) haben sich als geeignet erwiesen, um µ0MS zu bestimmen, wobei das Problem des unbekannten effektiven magnetischen Volumens umgangen wird, welches bei der Verwendung von Techniken wie SQUID oder VSM auftreten würde. Unter der Voraussetzung, dass die Proben keinen senkrechten magnetischen Anisotropiebeitrag besitzen, kann die Sättigungsmagnetisierung selbst im Fall starker Grenzflächendurchmischung infolge einer großen Anzahl an Py/Ta-Grenzflächen und/oder Ionenbestrahlung mit hohen Fluenzen bestimmt werden. Ein weiterer wesentlicher Bestandteil dieser Arbeit ist die Konstruktion eines VNA-FMR-Spektrometers gewesen, welches vollautomatisiert ist, polare und azimutale Winkelabhängigkeiten messen kann und einen Magneten besitzt, der Proben, die Eisen beinhalten, sättigen kann. Von Grund auf beginnend umfasste dies zahlreiche Schritte wie z. B. die Entwicklung eines geeigneten koplanaren Wellenleiterdesigns sowie das Schreiben von Steuerungs-, Auswertungs- und Fitprogrammen. Mit steigender Fluenz und Zahl an Py/Ta-Grenzflächen ist eine Abnahme der Sättigungsmagnetisierung beobachtet worden. Im Fall der 10×Py-Proben findet diese bereits bei kleinen Fluenzen statt. Im Gegensatz dazu bleibt µ0MS der 1×Py- und 5×Py-Proben bis zu einer bestimmten Fluenz konstant, bevor sie sich dann umso schneller verringert. Die Bestrahlung mit Ne-Ionen verursacht eine Durchmischung und Verbreiterung der Grenzflächen. Infolgedessen erfahren die Py/Ta-Proben bei einer kritischen Fluenz, die von der Zahl der Grenzflächen abhängig ist, einen Phasenübergang von polykristallin zu amorph. Die Sättigungsmagnetisierung verschwindet ab einer Ta-Konzentration von etwa 10–15 Atom-% in den Py-Schichten. Die Proben besitzen eine kleine uniaxiale Anisotropie, die praktisch unbeeinflusst von der Fluenz ist, sich jedoch mit steigender Zahl an Py/Ta-Grenzflächen leicht verringert. Neben den statischen sind auch die dynamischen magnetischen Eigenschaften der Proben untersucht worden. Der Gilbert-Dämpfungsparameter α erhöht sich sowohl mit steigender Zahl an Py/Ta-Grenzflächen als auch mit höheren Fluenzen, wobei Erstere einen größeren Einfluss hat. Die inhomogene Linienverbreiterung ΔB0 nimmt ebenfalls mit steigender Zahl an Py/Ta-Grenzflächen zu, verringert sich jedoch bei größeren Fluenzen leicht.

碩士<br>國立清華大學<br>物理系<br>100<br>This work takes advantage of Magneto-optical Kerr Effect (MOKE) to study the magnetic properties of 50-nm-thick disks grown on the /Si (100) wafer. The diameters of disks were roughly from 100 m to 650 m, which were fabricated by means of e-beam lithography, sputtering deposition and lift-off process. Our results show that the changes of magnetization direction on disks during sweep of magnetic field conform to the previous results of researches that the magnetization component perpendicular to outer magnetic field does not exist and our disks have the characteristic of vortex state, but coercivity seems to have no direct relationship with size of disks. They are all between about 15 Oe and 40 Oe. In addition, signals of hysteresis loops from our MOKE system change linearly with the area of disks.

碩士<br>國立清華大學<br>光電工程研究所<br>105<br>In this thesis, a high-sensitivity biosensor is demonstrated by exploiting surface plasma(SP) enhanced transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect(TMOKE). The size of the device is 32×22 mm2 with the prism, microfluidic system and ferromagnetic plasmonic grating integrated on a single chip with the ability to deliver and detect bio-agents systematically. The SP grating made on an optimized composite Au/Fe/Au layer exhibits a very dispersive Kerr Parameter variation near the surface plasmon resonance wavelength. After the fabricating process, we characterized the magneto optical effect of the composite ferromagnetic grating and the capabilities for detecting bio-molecules. The maximum of measured Kerr signal is about 0.04 with convert factor of 0.087 nm-1. Through this integrated system, we have demonstrated the detection of sucrose solution in low concentrations. The calculated resolution for bulk solution is about 10-6 RIU, corresponding to a minimal concentration of 0.007 %(wt). Moreover, a preliminary experimental result on studying avidin biotin interaction was also shown. The sensitivity of avidin detection in PBS solution is about 31 nM, which is limited by the fluctuation of flowing media during measurement. The whole system is potential to accomplish a compact, noncontact optical detection scheme.

碩士<br>國立臺灣大學<br>物理學研究所<br>87<br>The Magneto-Optic Kerr Effect (MOKE) has been widely used on measurements of magnetic properties of thin films. By measurements of the hysteresis loop we could decide the Curie temperature (Tc) of the film. In this thesis, we try to measure the ac susceptibility and butterfly-shaped hysteresis loop to unambiguously determine the Tc of the YIG films.

碩士<br>東海大學<br>物理學系<br>91<br>The topic of this thesis is focused on the construction of an apparatus for the magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE)measurement in the air, and an ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) system equipped with a surface magneto-optical Kerr effect (SMOKE) apparatus. We employed these instruments to measure the magnetic hysteresis loops of a thin film (Al2O3\V\Fe\V) with an iron thickness of 10 nm and Co/Ir(111) ultrathin films with a cobalt thickness up to 14.3 monolayers (ML). Based on the theory of magneto-optical Kerr effect, Kerr rotation θK is proportional to the magnetization of a magnetic material. Therefore, by measuring θK versus the applied magnetic field H, the magnetization curve of a magnetic material will be presented. The magnetic field was generated by an electromagnet consisted of a C-shaped silicon steel core and a Teflon coated wire. Under the condition that the generated magnetic field is proportional to the applied electric current, the maximum magnetic field could reach 2300 Oe. The spatial homogeneity within the gap of the electromagnet was optimalized. The optimal angle between Glan-Thompson polarizer and analyzer is 4.125o. All the measurements are computer controlled. In the air for the MOKE test, we obtained the magnetic hysteresis curves of an iron foil (7 mm × 5 mm × 0.7 mm). By comparing the longitudinal and polar hysteresis loops, the easy axis of the iron foil is determined to be parallel to the long axis. Afterwards, we successfully measured the magnetic hysteresis loops of a 10 nm iron thin film (Al2O3\V\Fe\V) and found an in-plane easy axis. Therefore the sensitivity of this MOKE system reaches nanometer scale. In the UHV chamber, SMOKE apparatus was employed to study the magnetic properties of ultrathin Co/Ir(111) films. The thickness of the cobalt films was determined using the AES technique. For cobalt films thinner than 3.5 ML, no hysteresis was observed. This proves that the sensitivity of this SMOKE system reaches at lease 3.5 ML of thickness. With Co thickness between 3.5 and 12.6 ML, magnetizing of the film is easier in the polar direction. As the thickness increases to above 13 ML, the easy direction for magnetizing the film changes to longitudinal direction. For films thicker than 14.3 ML, the magnetic easy axis is in the surface plane.

The morphology, composition, and magnetic properties of NiFe thin films were characterized. Films with thicknesses up to 137 nm were deposited in an RF induction evaporator at high vacuum (10^-8 mbar). Time resolved magneto-optic Kerr effect microscopy (TR-MOKE) was used to measure the Gilbert damping constant, an important dynamic magnetic property with applications to magnetic data storage. The composition of each film was measured with energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) microscopy and used to determine the weight percent of Ni and Fe in each film. A trend of increased damping with increased thickness was found, in agreement with published results. Magnetic properties and roughness were found to differ significantly from previous films grown in the same vacuum chamber by Rudge, and are attributed to different growth modes produced by differing deposition conditions. However, the weight percent of Ni in each film was found to be inconsistent, deviating by up to 7% from the Ni80Fe20 evaporation source. Inconsistent composition, caused by the inability to control deposition parameters, prevents insight into Gilbert damping from being drawn from the analysis.<br>Graduate

The possibility of the existence of ferromagnetic order in Ru monolayers on the C(0001) graphite surface is studied using electron induced spin-polarized secondary electron emission (SPSEE). Below a surface Curie temperature of approximately 250K we find ferromagnetic order of the Ru monolayer. The growth mode of Ru on C(0001) is investigated by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). We find, that the initial growth occurs laterally until a homogenous monolayer is formed. Our study provides the first observation of spontaneous, two-dimensional ferromagnetic order of a 4d transition element. To investigate the spin-polarization and domain pattern in ultrathin films and multilayers, we develop a novel technique: scanning ion microscopy with polarization analysis (SIMPA). A highly focused Ga$\sp+$-ion beam from a liquid metal ion source is moved over a sample to locally eject secondary electrons, whose spin-polarization is determined by using a medium energy Mott polarimeter. We show that the sputtering by the ion beam can be well controlled and utilized for nano-lithography and spin-resolved sputter depth profiling. We use SIMPA and the surface magneto-optic Kerr effect to study exchange coupling in Fe/Mn/Fe/Pd(100) multilayers. The intervening Mn layer is grown in a wedge shape ranging in thickness from 0 to 9 monolayers. Our results show that both Fe layers are coupled ferromagnetically for the entire Mn thickness range. Growth mode and structure are analyzed by AES and medium electron energy diffraction.

Το θέμα αυτής της διπλωματικής εργασίας είναι η παρασκευή με τη μέθοδο sputtering και ο χαρακτηρισμός μαγνητικών λεπτών υμενίων. Στo πρώτο κεφάλαιο, που αποτελεί και την εισαγωγή, γίνεται μια αναφορά στη τεχνολογία των λεπτών υμενίων και δίνεται το στοιχειώδες θεωρητικό υπόβαθρο των τεχνικών ανάπτυξης αυτών. Στο δεύτερο κεφάλαιο παρουσιάζεται η διάταξη sputtering που χρησιμοποιήθηκε για την ανάπτυξη των μαγνητικών υμενίων και δίνονται τα αποτελέσματα της βαθμονόμησης ενός μετρητικού πάχους υψηλής ακρίβειας. Το τρίτο κεφάλαιο αναφέρεται στην κατασκευή και πιστοποίηση μιας πλήρως αυτοματοποιημένης και χαμηλού κόστους διάταξης μέτρησης μαγνητικών βρόχων μέσω του φαινομένου Kerr, με μέγιστο πεδίο πόλωσης 2Τ. Το τέταρτο κεφάλαιο αναφέρεται στις πειραματικές λεπτομέρειες της παρασκευής των μαγνητικών λεπτών υμενίων Νικελίου και Κοβαλτίου και δίνονται τα αποτελέσματα του δομικού και μαγνητικού χαρακτηρισμού τους. Τέλος, στο πέμπτο κεφάλαιο, παρουσιάζονται τα συμπεράσματα και οι παρατηρήσεις που προέκυψαν κατά τη διάρκεια της ενασχόλησης με τη διπλωματική εργασία. Γίνονται, επιπλέον, και ορισμένες προτάσεις για τη μελλοντική εξέλιξη των συστημάτων sputtering και ΜΟΚΕ, ενώ τονίζεται και το τεχνολογικό ενδιαφέρον που παρουσιάζουν τα υμένια που παρασκευάσθηκαν.<br>The subject of this diploma thesis is the growth using the sputtering process and the characterization of thin magnetic films. The first chapter refers to thin films' technology and there is given the elementary theoretical background of the thin films’ growth. In the second chapter, there is presented the sputtering device, which is used for the growth of the magnetic films. Also, there is given the results of the calibration of a newly established thickness monitor, which is used for high accuracy thickness measurements. In the third chapter, there is given the description of the construction of a fully automatic and low cost magneto - optic Kerr effect magnetometer for the magnetic loops' measurement in a maximum magnetic field of 2T. There are, also, given the magnetic loops which are used for the construction’s certification. The fourth chapter refers to the experimental details about the preparation of the Nickel and Cobalt magnetic thin films. There are, also, given the results about the structural and magnetic characterization of the thin films. Finally, in the fifth chapter, there are presented the conclusions and the observations, which arose during the diploma thesis. There are, also, presented some proposals about the future progress of the sputtering and MOKE systems, whereas at the same, there is stressed the technical interest of the thin films, which are prepared.