Optical studies of CuNi, PdNi and CoPt multilayers by conventional and synchrotron radiation ellipsometry

Abstract In this work we perform a review of the ellipsometric investigation of the optical properties of CuNi, PdNi and CoPt compositionally modulated multilayers (CMMs). The occurrence of optical anisotropy and its possible origins are discussed. The observed interband transitions are analysed with respect to the modulation period and the CMM stoichiometry and a non-monotonic energy shift is noted. Annealing and in situ ellipsometric studies reveal information about the origin of the observed transitions and their possible association with the CMM or the corresponding alloy.