Determination of the depth of formation of magnetooptical effects in CoNi films

The optical constants of CoNi films with magnetic properties that are nonuniform across their thickness are determined in reflected light by two methods, viz., optical and magnetooptical measurements. The values of the parameters L=λ/4πk and Z ₀=λ/8n, one of which (specifically, the one which has the smaller value at a given value of λ) determines the depth of formation of reflective magnetooptical effects (l _mo) according to the current theories, are calculated on the basis of the values obtained for the optical constants n and k of the films (λ is the wavelength of the light used, and n and k are the refractive index and the absorption coefficient of the magnet). It is established for the CoNi films investigated that l _mo is determined by L and varies from about 200 to 300 Å in the range 0.33 µm?λ?0.83 µm. In CoNi films, which are inhomogeneous across their thickness and are characterized by significant variation of the magnetic properties over distances ～l _mo, variation of the form of the magnetization curves determined by measuring the equatorial Kerr effect is observed as λ increases.