Magneto–optical Kerr Effect in Semi–infinite Inhomogeneous Layered Systems

The contour integration technique applied to calculate the optical conductivity tensor at finite temperatures in the case of inhomogeneous surface layered systems within the framework of the spin– polarized relativistic screened Korringa–Kohn–Rostoker band structure method is extended to arbitrary polarizations of the electric field. It is shown that besides the inter–band contribution, the contour integration technique also accounts for the intra-band contribution too. Introducing a layer–resolved complex Kerr angle, the importance of the first, non–magnetic buffer layer below the ferromagnetic surface on the magneto–optical Kerr effect in the Co | Ptm multilayer system is shown. Increasing the thickness of the buffer Pt, the layer–resolved complex Kerr angles follow a linear dependence with respect to m only after nine Pt mono–layers. ∗Corresponding author. Tel. +43-1-58801-15840; fax: ++43-1-58801-15898. E-mail: [email protected]