Single layers and the multilayers of magnetic oxides prepared by pulsed laser deposition were studied by magneto-optical spectroscopy in the spectral range of 1,2 eV to 5,0 eV in polar Kerr configuration. Nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) single layers were chosen as a model system to study the combined contributions of the light propagation in the layer and of the surface reflection. The dielectric tensor of NiFe2O4 was determined by optical and magneto-optical ellipsometry on a natural facet of a single crystal. Simultaneous presence of the two contributions (propagation and reflection of light) make this non destructive technique of magneto-optical spectroscopy depth selective. This depth selectivity was verified also in the case of yttrium garnet (Y3Fe5O12) and samarium orthoferrite (SmFeO3) single layers.Available from STL Prague, CZ / NTK - National Technical LibrarySIGLECZCzech Republi