Magneto-optical Kerr effects of yttrium-iron garnet thin films incorporating gold nanoparticles

We report an experimental study on magneto-optical (MO) Kerr effects of yttrium-iron garnet (YIG) thin films incorporating Au nanoparticles. The polar MO Kerr spectra in the wavelength between 400 and 800 nm show that, by incorporating the Au nanoparticles, Kerr rotation angles become negative values in the region, where the localized surface plasmon polariton (SPP) resonance of the Au nanoparticles is located. The anomalous Kerr rotation indicates a possible coupling between the MO Kerr effect of YIG and the SPP. A mechanism for the coupling is discussed.