Electromagnetic theory of Helicoidal Dichroism in reflection from magnetic structures

Abstract

We present the classical electromagnetic theory framework of reflection of a light beam carrying Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) by an in-plane magnetic structure with generic symmetry. Depending on the magnetization symmetry, we find a change in the OAM content of the reflected beam due to magneto-optic interaction and an asymmetric far-field intensity profile. This leads to three types of Magnetic Helicoidal Dichroism (MHD), observed when switching the OAM of the incoming beam, the magnetization sign, or both. In cases of sufficient symmetries, we establish analytical formulas which link an experimentally accessible MHD signal up to $10\%$ to the Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect (MOKE) constants. Magnetic vortices are particularly enlightening and promising targets, for which we explore the implications of our theory in the joint publication XX XXX XXXXXX.

arXiv commentA joint manuscript was submitted at the same time

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Cited by in corpus (5)

• High-resolution ptychographic imaging at a seeded free-electron laser source using OAM beams
• Skyrmion Generation through the Chirality Interplay of Light and Magnetism
• Radial-angular coupling in self phase modulation with structured light
• Observation of magnetic helicoidal dichroism with extreme ultraviolet light vortices
• Spin to orbital angular momentum transfer in nonlinear wave mixing