Development Of A Magneto-Optic Mirror Based On The Transverse Magnetic Kerr Effect

Erich Alge; Roland Pfefferkorn

doi:10.1117/12.950034

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27 February 1989 Development Of A Magneto-Optic Mirror Based On The Transverse Magnetic Kerr Effect

Erich Alge; Roland Pfefferkorn

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Proceedings Volume 1019, Thin Film Technologies III; (1989) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.950034
Event: 1988 International Congress on Optical Science and Engineering, 1988, Hamburg, Germany

Abstract

An important requirement for the operation of ring laser gyroscopes is the uncoupling of counter propagating modes inside the resonator. We report on the development of a resonator mirror with magneto-optic features that should permit lock-in suppression by exploiting the non-reciprocity of the transverse magnetic Kerr effect. This effect manifests as a non reciprocal phase shift of p-polarized waves reflected by such a mirror, thus causing unequal optical path lengths of the counter propagating modes and inducing a frequency split which lifts the unwanted coupling. A Bi-substituted yttrium iron garnet layer is the carrier of the magneto optic properties which have been induced by post deposition heat treatment. This causes recrystallization of the film which, as deposited by RF sputtering, is in amorphous phase. Garnet films producing a sufficiently pronounced magneto optic effect could be obtained with annealing temperatures as low as 550° C. Films of this type have then been applied to a dielectric multilayer stack which served as highly reflecting base. Absorption of the garnet films necessitates a trade-off between loss and magneto optic performance of the mirrors. Mirrors for λ= 633 nm and 30° and 45° angle of incidence have been produced after establishing the optimum design.

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Erich Alge and Roland Pfefferkorn "Development Of A Magneto-Optic Mirror Based On The Transverse Magnetic Kerr Effect", Proc. SPIE 1019, Thin Film Technologies III, (27 February 1989); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.950034

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