v-MOKE magnetometry: a solution for devices with fixed electromagnet

Abstract

We introduce a novel method aimed to obtain the scale factor between in-plane magnetization components, indispensable for vectorial-magneto-optic Kerr effect (v-MOKE) experiments, convenient for experimental setups where it is difficult or unfeasible to rotate the electromagnet. Unlike the original method, in our proposal the electromagnet (and all other optical components) are fixed, extending in this way the possibility to implement v-MOKE magnetometry. Two films, FePt 9 and 100 nm thickness, were used as sample probes, presenting in-plane magnetic uniaxial anisotropy and in-plane magnetic isotropy, respectively. All experiments were carried out at room temperature and employing an home-made MOKE system. We also introduce a closed mathematical expression for the scale factor linking both magnetization components in terms of experimental and sample dependent parameters.