Abstract

Using p-polarized fundamental light and near grazing incidence, we studied second harmonic generation (SHG) in reflection from a single-crystalline, ferromagnetic Heusler alloy. By varying the second harmonic polarization angle, we found a rotation of the polarization plane of the frequency-doubled light by about 14°. This is an extraordinarily high value and an order of magnitude larger than the linear Kerr angle of about 1 °. Thus, we propose the use of SHG as a sensitive detection technique for magnetization. Further, we tested the dependence of the SHG yield on the magnetization direction with circularly polarized light. We found a stronger yield when the circular polarization is parallel to the handedness defined by the magnetization and a reduced yield for the opposite case.

© 1992 Optical Society of America