Resolving the role of femtosecond heated electrons in ultrafast spin dynamics.

ABSTRACT: Magnetization manipulation is essential for basic research and applications. A fundamental question is, how fast can the magnetization be reversed in nanoscale magnetic storage media. When subject to an ultrafast laser pulse, the speed of the magnetization dynamics depends on the nature of the energy transfer pathway. The order of the spin system can be effectively influenced through spin-flip processes mediated by hot electrons. It has been predicted that as electrons drive spins into the regime close to almost total demagnetization, characterized by a loss of ferromagnetic correlations near criticality, a second slower demagnetization process takes place after the initial fast drop of magnetization. By studying FePt, we unravel the fundamental role of the electronic structure. As the fer

SUBMITTER: Mendil J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3913971 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature