Magnetization-induced optical second-harmonic generation and local surface plasmons in magnetic Co_x Ag_(1-x) nanogranular films

Spectroscopy of magnetization-induced second-harmonic generation (MSHG) is studied in magnetic Co$_{x}$Ag$_{1-x}$ granular films containing Co nanoparticles. A strong resonance of the magnetic contrast of the second-harmonic generation (SHG) intensity is observed in the two-photon energy range from 3,8 eV to 4,5 eV. The local surface plasmons exited in magnetic Co nanogranules in this spectral range assist MSHG and are responsible for a significant enhancement of the SHG magnetic contrast due to the resonances of local optical fields.