Kerr rotation and XPS spectra of Co/Pd multilayers

The influence of the surface conditions of a series of the polycrystalline Co/Pd multilayers on the spectral dependence of the polar Kerr rotation, /spl theta//sub k/, was studied. Starting from low values, |/spl theta//sub k/| was found to increase towards short wavelengths, reaching 0.2 degree at the blue region. Using angular resolved photoelectron spectroscopy the oxidation states and the binding conditions of Co and Pd nearest surface layers were examined. >