  The polar magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) for low-symmetric ferromagnetic
crystals is investigated theoretically based on first-principle calculations of
optical conductivities and a transfer matrix approach for the electrodynamics
part of the problem. Exact average magneto-optical properties of polycrystals
are described, taking into account realistic models for the distribution of
domain orientations. It is shown that for low-symmetric ferromagnetic single
crystals the MOKE is determined by an interplay of crystallographic
birefringence and magnetic effects. Calculations for single and bi-crystal of
hcp 11-20 Co and for a polycrystal of CrO_2 are performed, with results being
in good agreement with experimental data.
