Theoretical Study on Metasurfaces for Transverse Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect Enhancement of Ultra-Thin Magnetic Dielectric Films

We study how to enhance the transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect (TMOKE) of ultra-thin magnetic dielectric films through the excitation of strong magnetic resonances on metasurface with a metal nanowire array stacked above a metal substrate with an ultra-thin magnetic dielectric film spacer. The plasmonic hybridizations between the Au nanowires and substrate result in magnetic resonances. The periodic arrangement of the Au nanowires can excite propagating surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) on the metal surface. When the SPPs and the magnetic resonances hybridize, they can strongly couple to form two strong magnetic resonances, which are explained by a coupled oscillator model. Importantly, benefitting from the strong magnetic resonances, we can achieve a large TMOKE signal up to 26% in the ultra-thin magnetic dielectric film with a thickness of only 30 nm, which may find potential applications in nanophotonics, magnonics, and spintronics.

Automated summary

The study focuses on enhancing the transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect (TMOKE) of ultra-thin magnetic dielectric films, achieved through the excitation of strong magnetic resonances due to plasmonic hybridization between Au nanowires and substrate. The coupled system forms two strong magnetic resonances leading to a significant TMOKE signal increase in 30 nm thick ultra-thin magnetic dielectric films, showing potential applications in nanophotonics, magnonics, and spintronics.