Abstract

It is shown how the electric field amplitude distributions that are due to radiation incident upon multilayer coatings containing magnetic (gyrotropic) films can be calculated, with particular emphasis on the magneto-optical components. The relevance of the electric field amplitudes for the evaluation of absorption in the layers, interfacial scattering, and the signal-to-noise ratio associated with the detection of magneto-optical effects is discussed. Two sets of examples of electric field amplitude distributions in multilayer coatings are given, and it is concluded that multilayer structures designed to enhance the shot-noise-limited signal-to-noise ratio in magneto-optical recording may also increase the noise associated with surface roughness scattering.

© 1988 Optical Society of America

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