Longitudinal Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect of Nanoporous CoFeB and W/CoFeB/W Thin Films

Nanoporous Co40Fe40B20 (CoFeB) and sandwich tungsten (W)/CoFeB/W thin films were fabricated via an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template-assisted magneto sputtering process. Their thickness-dependent magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) hysteresis loops were investigated for enhanced Kerr rotation. Control of the Kerr null points of the polarized reflected light can be realized via the thicknesses of the CoFeB layers and W layers. Simulation of the thickness-dependent phase difference change by the finite element method reveals the existence of the two Kerr null points for W/CoFeB/W thin films, matching the experimental result very well. However, there are two additional Kerr null points for pure CoFeB thin films according to the simulation by comparing with the experimental result (only one). Theoretical analysis indicates that the different Kerr null points between the experimental result and the simulation are mainly due to the enhanced inner magnetization in the ferromagnetic CoFeB layer with the increased thickness, which is usually omitted in the simulation. Clearly, the introduction of non-ferromagnetic W layers can experimentally regulate the Kerr null points of ferromagnetic thin films. Moreover, construction of W/CoFeB/W sandwich thin films can greatly increase the highest magneto-optical susceptibility and the saturated Kerr rotation angle when compared with CoFeB thin films of the same thickness.

Automated summary

The Kerr null points of ferromagnetic thin films can be controlled by adjusting the thickness of different material layers. The introduction of non-ferromagnetic materials can enhance the Kerr effect of the ferromagnetic thin films.