Enhanced magneto-optical effect due to interface alloy formation in Co±Pt (1 1 1) ultrathin ®lms upon thermal annealing

After postdeposition annealing in the temperature range of 500±800 K, a highly enhanced magneto-optical Kerr response up to a maximal value 300% of that before annealing, is observed for 1±2 ML ultrathin Co±Pt (1 1 1) ®lms. With help of low energy electron diffraction and Auger electron spectroscopy, this enhancement of magneto-optical response is found to be correlated to the Co±Pt alloy formation at interface. # 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved