Ab initio calculation of Kerr spectra for semi-infinite systems including multiple reflections and optical interferences -: art. no. 144448

Based on Luttinger's formulation the complex optical conductivity tensor is calculated within the framework of the spin-polarized relativistic screened Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker method for layered systems by means of a contour integration technique. For polar geometry and normal incidence, ab initio Kerr spectra of multilayer systems are then obtained by including via a 2x2 matrix technique all multiple reflections between layers and optical interferences in the layers. Applications to Co/Pt-5 and Pt-3/Co/Pt-5 on the top of a semi-infinite fcc(111) Pt bulk substrate show a good qualitative agreement with the experimental spectra, but differ from those obtained by applying the commonly used two-media approach.