Theory for the giant magneto-optical Kerr rotation in CeSb

TL;DR

This paper presents a theoretical calculation of the giant magneto-optical Kerr rotation in CeSb, explaining the origin of 90-degree polarization rotations and matching recent experimental results.

Contribution

The authors develop an exact formula and simplified electronic model to accurately predict large Kerr rotations in CeSb, linking optical properties to magnetic effects.

Findings

Kerr rotation of 90 degrees at 0.46 eV in CeSb

Agreement with experimental Kerr rotation measurements

Identification of optical and magnetic origins of polarization rotation

Abstract

We calculate the linear magneto-optical Kerr rotation angle for CeSb in the near-infrared spectral range. Using an exact formula for large Kerr rotation angles and a simplified electronic structure of CeSb we find at $\hbar \omega = 0.46 eV$ a Kerr rotation of 90 degrees which then for decreasing $\omega $ jumps to -90 degrees in very good agreement with recent experimental observations. We identify the general origin of possible 90 degree polarization rotations from mainly optical properties and discuss its relation to the magnetic moments and magnetic dichroism of the material.