This paper describes the magneto-optical effects and the reflectivity behaviors of bilayers based on magnetic and isotropic ()/anisotropic () layers under the condition of total internal reflection. In the framework of Green's dyadic technique, we show accurately the optical properties of anisotropic layers deposited on a substrate. We present numerical simulations which account for the variation of angle of incidence at the HeNe laser wavelength. The Kerr rotation is found to increase significantly around the optical modes in total reflection. We also discuss the importance of anisotropic effects due to the crystallization of the dielectric material () which occur in the reflectivity and Kerr rotation spectra. Received 26 January 2000