Ultrafast Optical Parametric Pumping of Magnetization Reorientation and Precessional Dynamics in DyFe2/YFe2 Exchange Springs

L. R. Shelford, Y. Liu, U. Al-Jarah, P. A. J. de Groot, G. J. Bowden, R. C. C. Ward, and R. J. Hicken
Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 067601 – Published 7 August 2014
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Abstract

The magnetization dynamics of a wound [DyFe2(20Å)/YFe2(80Å)]×40 exchange spring multilayer have been explored in optical pump probe experiments. Ultrafast optical heating was used to modify the magnetic parameters of the multilayer, while the time resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect was used to probe its response. Although the probe signal is dominated by precession and winding of the exchange spring within the soft YFe2 layer, reorientation of the DyFe2 hard-layer magnetization is detected on time scales less than 100 ps. Micromagnetic simulations reproduce the main features of the experimental data and indicate a dramatic optically induced reduction of the hard-layer anisotropy. The results establish the feasibility of switching a spring system by means of parametric excitation.

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  • Received 1 June 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.067601

© 2014 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

L. R. Shelford1,*, Y. Liu1, U. Al-Jarah1, P. A. J. de Groot2, G. J. Bowden2, R. C. C. Ward3, and R. J. Hicken1

  • 1School of Physics, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QL, United Kingdom
  • 2School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
  • 3Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom

  • *L.R.Shelford@exeter.ac.uk

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Vol. 113, Iss. 6 — 8 August 2014

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