Relationship between Kerr effect and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in Co_1-xPt_x and Co_1-xPd_x alloys

Evaporated Co1-xPtx and Co1-xPdx alloy films with an average perpendicular magnetic anisotropy constant Ku of up to 0.5 MJ/m3 have been investigated. A functional relationship between Ku and the Kerr rotation contributions ΔΘKPt,Pd arising from exchange polarized Pt and Pd, respectively, could be established. Our results suggest important contributions to the anisotropy from Pt-5d and Pd-4d states via electronic hybridization with Co-3d states. An anisotropy model based on growth induced heterogeneities in these alloys is proposed. © 1993.