Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
The signal measured during a Magneto-Optic Kerr Effect (MOKE) experiment is usually assumed to be linear in the magnetization (or the magnitude of the magneto-optic coupling vector Q that is proportional to the magnetization) so that a plot of the magnetization versus applied field can be obtained. We have observed an appreciable contribution from the Q2 term in the magneto-optic response of epitaxial Fe(110)/Mo(110) bilayers. The Q2 term in the magneto-optic response is much larger than that predicted by existing theory. We re-derive and modify the existing theory to fit the Q2 term.