This volume provides an introduction to new optical methods for investigating the electronic, atomic, and magnetic properties of metallic surfaces and films. The methods have potentially valuable commercial applications and the book will be a useful guide to researchers in condensed matter physics and optics. The book begins with a chapter on linear Kerr spectroscopy and its application to magnetism and magnetic anisotropy effects. This is followed by two chapters discussing nonlinear magneto-optics, particularly the application of second harmonic light generation (SHG) to ultrathin films. The next chapter discusses time-resolved linear and second order reflectivity methods, and the final two chapters cover the electronic theory for nonlinear optics and nonlinear magneto-optics. These last chapters include discussions of current problems and directions for future research.