LAUSR

In this study, we demonstrate the effect of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) on magneto-optical (MO) activity of Co thin films incorporating Ag nanoparticles (NPs) so that the Ag NPs were surrounded by TiO2 (Ag [TiO2]). The deposition of Co on glass substrates was performed using an oblique deposition technique, thereby obtaining a variable film thickness. Three samples of glass/Co, glass/Co/Ag NPs, and glass/Co/Ag [TiO2] were compared with each other in terms of Kerr signal intensity. Our results show that while all samples have an easy axis in the film plane, the corresponding Kerr signal is amplified in the glass/Co/Ag [TiO2] structure. A combination of SPR and light localization is the reasoning behind the amplification. These studies may open a new route in the research area of LSPR-based MO Kerr effect since the improved LSPR enhances MO properties.