Nonlinear Magneto-Optical Response from Quantum Well States in Noble Metals: Double Period and Interface Localization

The nonlinear optical response from quantum well states in ultrathin noble metal films is shown to dominate the total generated second harmonic output from such films. The observed oscillatory behavior with overlayer thickness shows a period doubling with respect to that observed in linear Kerr measurements. This is shown to be related to the symmetry properties and interface localization of the quantum well states.