Diffraction by a relief magneto-optic grating: diagrammatic approach

We describe a straightforward analytical solution for the problem of diffraction of light by a periodic surface structure engraved on a ferromagnetic material in the transverse Kerr magneto-optical effect (TMOKE) geometry. The theoretical approach is based on a double perturbative expansion which allows an interpretation in terms of multiscattering Feynman-type diagrams. It has been shown, both analytically and numerically, that the Leontovich approximation is valid for most practically interesting situations, which leads to amazingly simple final expressions. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.