Spin-orbit Coupling Induced Phenomena at Metal Surfaces and Interfaces
Author | : Miyoung Kim |
Publisher | : |
Total Pages | : |
Release | : 1999 |
Genre | : |
ISBN | : |
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We develop a first principles approach to calculate the MOKE from the optical conductivity determined by linear response theory in the long wavelength limit applied to the single-particle eigenvalues and wavefunctions obtained by the FLAPW method. We apply this approach to bulk bcc Fe and fcc Co and obtain the conductivity and Kerr spectra that are comparable to experiment and with negligible anisotropy about the magnetization direction. From applications to the CoPtn (n = 1 and 3) alloys and multilayers, we find that the Kerr spectra is very sensitive to structural changes and composition, which is explained by the change of band structures in the different geometries rather than by the correlation between the MOKE and SOC strength. The strong spectra of these systems is mostly attributed to the large SOC strength of Pt. Finally, we carry out MOKE calculations for Fe and Co free standing thin films and find that the surface effects cause a red-shift for the peak at the mid-visible light energies and a reduction of the infrared spectra mainly due to band narrowing and enhanced magnetization, both of which imply better agreement with experiment.