We have studied the increases in the longitudinal magneto-optic Kerr effect signal contrast that can be achieved by the application of optical overlayers on magnetic films. For simple coatings, a factor of 3 improvement in signal contrast is possible. Matching the optical impedance of the magnetic material improves the raw Kerr signal and also reduces the sample reflectivity, yielding a large Kerr angle. The contrast can be optimized by increasing the rotated Kerr reflectivity component while maintaining enough of the base reflectivity Fresnel component to produce a strong signal. Calculations and experimental results are presented for single layer ZrO2 dielectric coatings on Ni along with calculations for a three-layer AuZrO2Ni structure. Incidence angle effects are also presented.

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