Longitudinal Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect in Ce:YIG Thin Films Incorporating Gold Nanoparticles

We report an experimental study on optical and magneto-optical properties of Ce-substituted yttrium iron garnet thin films incorporating gold nanoparticles. Au nanoparticles were formed by heating Au thin film on cubic quartz and garnet substrate in vacuum chamber and a Ce: YIG layer was deposited on them by the aid of Pulsed laser deposition method. A large enhancement of the Longitudinal Kerr effect was obtained in sample with Au nanoparticles on quartz substrate and the effect of substrate material on improving optical and magneto-optical response of samples were investigated.