The TM dependence of the magneto-optic signal in GdTb-TM thin films

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Abstract
The magneto-optic polar Kerr rotation for various GdTb-TM thin films was measured at room temperature as a function of TM composition and was found to correlate with the Slater–Pauling curve. In spite of the fact that the temperature dependence of magnetization is a complicating factor, the data clearly establish the above-mentioned correlation. The TM compositions ranged from Mn through Fe and Co to Ni. The Fe-based films had Curie temperatures covering a range from 100 to 300 °C in contrast to the Co-based films whose Curie temperatures were clearly much greater than 300 °C. Neither the Mn- nor the Ni-based films exhibited desirable magneto-optic activity when fabricated under the same conditions as the Fe- and/or Co-based films. When the Fe constituent of the GdTbFe films was gradually substituted with Mn or Co the room-temperature magneto-optic signal was found to decrease and increase, respectively. In a similar manner, when the Co constituent of GdTbCo films was gradually substituted with Fe or Ni the room-temperature magneto-optic effect was found to increase and decrease, respectively. However, when the Co constituent of GdTbCo films was gradually substituted with Mn the room-temperature magneto-optic effect also decreased, clearly establishing the correlation to the Slater–Pauling curve. These results are further evidence that the magneto-optic effect of traditional RE-TM thin films is dominated by the TM composition and explain the fact that the magneto-optic signal is largest in GdTbFeCo thin films. New data supporting the correlation between magneto-optic effect and perpendicular anisotropy was also obtained.

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