Element-selective magnetization states in a Gd23Fe67Co10 alloy, probed by soft X-ray resonant magneto-optical Kerr effect

The core-level resonant magneto-optical Kerr effect of a ferrimagnetic metal alloy, Gd23Fe67Co10, was measured at the Fe M-shell and Gd N-shell absorption edges using rotating analyzer ellipsometry. A large Kerr rotation angle of several degrees was detected at room temperature. The signal was found to be strong enough for element-selective magneto-optical experiments to trace various magnetic events, such as all-optical magnetization switching.