One-dimensional gyrotropic gratings can be fabricated by using all kinds of nano-fabrication techniques. Such laterally patterned magnetic nanostructures become more attractive because of their potential applications to magnetic and magneto-optical (MO) information storage media, light waveguides, filters, new metamaterials, {it etc.} A significant difference in the MO response between specular and non-specular spots was noticed, which is mainly attributed to the structure of gyrotropic gratings. In order to elucidate the correlation between the diffracted MO Kerr effect (D-MOKE) and the structure, we utilize the rigorous coupled-wave analysis, which is implemented with Airy-like internal reflection series. This analysis is a powerful tool to detect the grating structure so that the D-MOKE signal can be effectively controlled.

Keywords: Gyrotropic gratings, Diffracted magneto-optical Kerr effect, Rigorous coupled-wave analysis, Airy-like internal-reflection series