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Laser-Induced Ultrafast Demagnetization: Femtomagnetism, a New Frontier?

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Spin Dynamics in Confined Magnetic Structures I

Part of the book series: Topics in Applied Physics ((TAP,volume 83))

Abstract

The conventional demagnetization process (spin precession, magnetic domain motion and rotation) is governed mainly by spin—lattice, magnetic dipole and Zeeman, and spin-spin interactions. It occurs on a timescale of nanoseconds. Technologically, much faster magnetization changes are always in great demand to improve data processing speed. Unfortunately, the present speed of magnetic devices is already at the limit of the conventional mechanism with little room left. Fortunately and unprecedentedly, recent experimental investigations have evidenced much faster magnetization dynamics which occurs on a femtosecond time scale: femtomagnetism. This novel spin dynamics has not been well-understood until now. This article reviews the current status of ultrafast spin dynamics and presents a perspective for future experimental and theoretical investigations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Mikrostrukturphysik, Weinberg 2, 06120, Halle, Germany

    Guoping Zhang & Wolfgang Hübner

  2. Institut de Physique et Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg, Unité Mixte 380046, CNRS-ULP-ECPM, 23, rue du Loess, 67037, Strasbourg Cedex, France

    Eric Beaurepaire & Jean-Yves Bigot

  3. Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Tennessee at Knoxville, TN, 37996-1200, USA

    Guoping Zhang

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  1. Guoping Zhang
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  2. Wolfgang Hübner
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  4. Jean-Yves Bigot
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  1. Fachbereich Physik, Universität Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schrödinger-Straße 56, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany

    Burkard Hillebrands

  2. Groupe d’Etude des Materiaux Metalliques, Institut de Physique et Chimie des Materiaux de Strasbourg, 23, rue de Losses, 67037, Strasbourg Cedex, France

    Kamel Ounadjela

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Zhang, G., Hübner, W., Beaurepaire, E., Bigot, JY. (2002). Laser-Induced Ultrafast Demagnetization: Femtomagnetism, a New Frontier?. In: Hillebrands, B., Ounadjela, K. (eds) Spin Dynamics in Confined Magnetic Structures I. Topics in Applied Physics, vol 83. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-40907-6_8

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