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Ultrafast Path for Optical Magnetization Reversal via a Strongly Nonequilibrium State

K. Vahaplar, A. M. Kalashnikova, A. V. Kimel, D. Hinzke, U. Nowak, R. Chantrell, A. Tsukamoto, A. Itoh, A. Kirilyuk, and Th. Rasing
Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 117201 – Published 8 September 2009
Physics logo See Viewpoint: For faster magnetic switching—destroy and rebuild

Abstract

Using time-resolved single-shot pump-probe microscopy we unveil the mechanism and the time scale of all-optical magnetization reversal by a single circularly polarized 100 fs laser pulse. We demonstrate that the reversal has a linear character, i.e., does not involve precession but occurs via a strongly nonequilibrium state. Calculations show that the reversal time which can be achieved via this mechanism is within 10 ps for a 30 nm domain. Using two single subpicosecond laser pulses we demonstrate that for a 5μm domain the magnetic information can be recorded and readout within 30 ps, which is the fastest “write-read” event demonstrated for magnetic recording so far.

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  • Received 10 April 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.103.117201

©2009 American Physical Society

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For faster magnetic switching—destroy and rebuild

Published 8 September 2009

Magnetic switching is typically a continuous process, where a field pulse rotates a magnet from up to down, but it is now possible to do this faster — and with all-optical methods — by first quenching the magnetization to zero and then repolarizing it in the opposite direction.

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Authors & Affiliations

K. Vahaplar1,*, A. M. Kalashnikova1,5, A. V. Kimel1, D. Hinzke2, U. Nowak2, R. Chantrell3, A. Tsukamoto4,6, A. Itoh4, A. Kirilyuk1, and Th. Rasing1

  • 1Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9010 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands
  • 2Fachbereich Physik, Universität Konstanz, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany
  • 3Department of Physics, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
  • 4College of Science and Technology, Nihon University, 7-24-1 Funabashi, Chiba, Japan
  • 5Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 194021 St. Petersburg, Russia
  • 6PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Honcho Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan

  • *K.Vahaplar@science.ru.nl

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Issue

Vol. 103, Iss. 11 — 11 September 2009

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