Simple window-compensation method for improving the signal-to-noise ratio in measurements of the magneto-optic Kerr effect in ultrathin films

Measurements of the magneto-optical Kerr effect in magnetic ultrathin films in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV), have a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) which is limited by the extinction ratio of the apparatus. Although polarizing crystals with excellent extinction characteristics are usually employed for in situ measurements of films grown in UHV, the net extinction ratio is degraded by optical windows, resulting in poor signal contrast and poor S/N. A …