Magneto-optical investigations and ion beam-induced modification of heusler compounds

Abstract

Half-metallic Co-based Heusler compounds are attracting attention due to their anticipated use as high-performance materials for spintronics applications, such as spin-source or spin-detector. In order to use these materials in applications, their structural and magnetic properties must be well understood. The important phenomena in those materials are, amongst others, exchange and spin-orbit coupling, the latter one giving rise to effect such as magnetic anisotropy and magneto-optical Kerr effect. In this chapter, we present our investigations of magnetic exchange stiffness, magnetic anisotropy, magnetization reversal, and magneto-optical Kerr effect in Co-based Heusler compound thin films. Furthermore, we have also investigated the modification of the compounds under He+ and Ga+ ion beam irradiation with the aim of improving and tailoring structural properties.