Optical and Magnetic Properties of Hexagonal Arrays of Subwavelength Holes in Optically Thin Cobalt Films

In this study, we present our experimental results on the optical, magnetic, as well as magneto-optic properties of hexagonal arrays of subwavelength holes in optically thin cobalt films. Different meshes were used with hole diameters ranging between 220 and 330 nm while the interhole distance has been kept constant at 470 nm. The hole pattern modifies completely the magnetic behavior of the cobalt films; it gives rise to an increase of the coercive field of the in-plane magnetization with increasing hole diameter and to the appearance of out-of-plane magnetization components. Magneto-optic measurements show a spectacular magneto-optic response at wavelengths where surface plasmon-polaritons are supported by the structure as deduced in optical measurements. The experiments demonstrate the ability to artificially control the magnetic and thus the magneto-optic properties in hole array structures.