Preparation and Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect of PtMnSb/NiMnSb Multilayer Films

We prepared PtMnSb/NiMnSb multilayer films using a dual-type rf magnetron sputtering method. The multilayer period was designed in the range from 20 Å to 200 Å. The X-ray diffraction data showed the existence of compositional and structural modulations. [111] texture of the Clb-type structure with a preferred orientation normal to the film plane was found. The satellite peaks due to the multilayer periodicity appeared around the [111] peak, and the peak intensities were explained from a step model. The Kerr rotation angles at 633 nm wavelength decreased with decreasing multilayer period.