Scaling of quadratic and linear magnetooptic Kerr effect spectra with L2${}_1$ ordering of Co${}_2$MnSi Heusler compound

Abstract

The Heusler compound Co${}_2$MnSi provides a crystallographic transition from B2 to L2${}_1$ structure with increasing annealing temperature $T_a$, being a model system for investigating the influence of crystallographic ordering on structural, magnetic, optic, and magnetooptic (MO) properties. Here, we present quadratic magnetooptic Kerr effect (QMOKE) spectra depending on $M^2$ in addition to the linear magnetooptic Kerr effect (LinMOKE) spectra being proportional to $M$, both in the extended visible spectral range of light from 0.8\,eV to 5.5\,eV. We investigated a set of Co${}_2$MnSi thin films deposited on MgO(001) substrates and annealed from 300${}^{\circ }$C to 500${}^{\circ }$C. The amplitude of LinMOKE and QMOKE spectra scales linearly with $T_a$, and this effect is well pronounced at the resonant peaks below 2.0\,eV of the QMOKE spectra. Furthermore, the spectra of the MO parameters, which fully describe the MO response of Co${}_2$MnSi up to the second order in $M$, are obtained dependend on $T_a$. Finally, the spectra are compared to ab-initio calculations of a purely L2${}_1$ ordered Co${}_2$MnSi Heusler compound.

4 pages, 3 figures, supplemental pdf, supplemental data files