Ultrafast Demagnetization Control in Magnetophotonic Surface Crystals.

Magnetic memory combining plasmonics and magnetism is poised to dramatically increase the bit density and energy efficiency of light-assisted ultrafast magnetic storage, thanks to nanoplasmon-driven enhancement and confinement of light. Here we devise a new path for that, simultaneously enabling light-driven bit downscaling, reduction of the required energy for magnetic memory writing, and a subtle control over the degree of demagnetization in a magnetophotonic surface crystal. It features a regular array of truncated-nanocone-shaped Au-TbCo antennas showing both localized plasmon and surface lattice resonance modes. The ultrafast magnetization dynamics of the nanoantennas show a 3-fold resonant enhancement of the demagnetization efficiency. The degree of demagnetization is further tuned by activating surface lattice modes. This reveals a platform where ultrafast demagnetization is localized at the nanoscale and its extent can be controlled at will, rendering it multistate and potentially opening up so-far-unforeseen nanomagnetic neuromorphic-like systems operating at femtosecond time scales controlled by light.

Real-time observation of magnetization and magnon dynamics in a two-dimensional topological antiferromagnet MnBi2Te4.

Atomically thin van der Waals magnetic materials have not only provided a fertile playground to explore basic physics in the two-dimensional (2D) limit but also created vast opportunities for novel ultrafast functional devices. Here we systematically investigate ultrafast magnetization dynamics and spin wave dynamics in few-layer topological antiferromagnetic MnBi2Te4 crystals as a function of layer number, temperature, and magnetic field. We find laser-induced (de)magnetization processes can be used to accurately track the distinct magnetic states in different magnetic field regimes, including showing clear odd-even layer number effects. In addition, strongly field-dependent AFM magnon modes with tens of gigahertz frequencies are optically generated and directly observed in the time domain. Remarkably, we find that magnetization and magnon dynamics can be observed in not only the time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect but also the time resolved reflectivity, indicating strong correlation between the magnetic state and electronic structure. These measurements present the first comprehensive overview of ultrafast spin dynamics in this novel 2D antiferromagnet, paving the way for potential applications in 2D antiferromagnetic spintronics and magnonics as well as further studies of ultrafast control of both magnetization and topological quantum states.

Ultrafast Subpicosecond Magnetization of a 2D Ferromagnet.

Strong spin-charge interactions in several ferromagnets are expected to lead to subpicosecond (sub-ps) magnetization of the magnetic materials through control of the carrier characteristics via electrical means, which is essential for ultrafast spin-based electronic devices. Thus far, ultrafast control of magnetization has been realized by optically pumping a large number of carriers into the d or f orbitals of a ferromagnet; however, it is extremely challenging to implement by electrical gating. This work demonstrates a new method for sub-ps magnetization manipulation called wavefunction engineering, in which only the spatial distribution (wavefunction) of s (or p) electrons is controlled and no change is required in the total carrier density. Using a ferromagnetic semiconductor (FMS) (In,Fe)As quantum well (QW), instant enhancement, as fast as 600 fs, of the magnetization is observed upon irradiating a femtosecond (fs) laser pulse. Theoretical analysis shows that the instant enhancement of the magnetization is induced when the 2D electron wavefunctions (WFs) in the FMS QW are rapidly moved by a photo-Dember electric field formed by an asymmetric distribution of the photocarriers. Because this WF engineering method can be equivalently implemented by applying a gate electric field, these results open a new way to realize ultrafast magnetic storage and spin-based information processing in present electronic systems.

Laser-induced THz magnetism of antiferromagnetic CoF2.

Excitation, detection, and control of coherent THz magnetic excitation in antiferromagnets are challenging problems that can be addressed using ever shorter laser pulses. We study experimentally excitation of magnetic dynamics at THz frequencies in an antiferromagnetic insulator CoF2by sub-10 fs laser pulses. Time-resolved pump-probe polarimetric measurements at different temperatures and probe polarizations reveal laser-induced transient circular birefringence oscillating at the frequency of 7.45 THz and present below the Néel temperature. The THz oscillations of circular birefringence are ascribed to oscillations of the magnetic moments of Co2+ions induced by the laser-driven coherentEgphonon mode via the THz analogue of the transverse piezomagnetic effect. It is also shown that the same pulse launches coherent oscillations of the magnetic linear birefringence at the frequency of 3.4 THz corresponding to the two-magnon mode. Analysis of the probe polarization dependence of the transient magnetic linear birefringence at the frequency of the two-magnon mode enables identifying its symmetry.

Ultrafast Orbital-Oriented Control of Magnetization in Half-Metallic La0.7 Sr0.3 MnO3 Films.

Manipulating spins by ultrafast pulse laser provides a new avenue to switch the magnetization for spintronic applications. While the spin-orbit coupling is known to play a pivotal role in the ultrafast laser-induced demagnetization, the effect of the anisotropic spin-orbit coupling on the transient magnetization remains an open issue. This study uncovers the role of anisotropic spin-orbit coupling in the spin dynamics in a half-metallic La0.7 Sr0.3 MnO3 film by ultrafast pump-probe technique. The magnetic order is found to be transiently enhanced or attenuated within the initial sub-picosecond when the probe light is tuned to be s- or p-polarized, respectively. The subsequent slow demagnetization amplitude follows the fourfold symmetry of the d x 2 - y 2 orbitals as a function of the polarization angles of the probe light. A model based on the Elliott-Yafet spin-flip scatterings is proposed to reveal that the transient magnetization enhancement is related to the spin-mixed states arising from the anisotropic spin-orbit coupling. The findings provide new insights into the spin dynamics in magnetic systems with anisotropic spin-orbit coupling as well as perspectives for the ultrafast control of information process in spintronic devices.

Ultrafast Magnetization Manipulation Using Single Femtosecond Light and Hot-Electron Pulses.

Current-induced magnetization manipulation is a key issue for spintronic applications. This manipulation must be fast, deterministic, and nondestructive in order to function in device applications. Therefore, single- electronic-pulse-driven deterministic switching of the magnetization on the picosecond timescale represents a major step toward future developments of ultrafast spintronic systems. Here, the ultrafast magnetization dynamics in engineered Gdx [FeCo]1-x -based structures are studied to compare the effect of femtosecond laser and hot-electron pulses. It is demonstrated that a single femtosecond hot-electron pulse causes deterministic magnetization reversal in either Gd-rich and FeCo-rich alloys similarly to a femtosecond laser pulse. In addition, it is shown that the limiting factor of such manipulation for perpendicular magnetized films arises from the formation of a multidomain state due to dipolar interactions. By performing time-resolved measurements under various magnetic fields, it is demonstrated that the same magnetization dynamics are observed for both light and hot-electron excitation, and that the full magnetization reversal takes place within 40 ps. The efficiency of the ultrafast current-induced magnetization manipulation is enhanced due to the ballistic transport of hot electrons before reaching the GdFeCo magnetic layer.