Ab initio theory of electron-phonon mediated ultrafast spin relaxation of laser-excited hot electrons in transition-metal ferromagnets

K. Carva, M. Battiato, D. Legut, and P. M. Oppeneer
Phys. Rev. B 87, 184425 – Published 22 May 2013

Abstract

We report a computational theoretical investigation of electron spin-flip scattering induced by the electron-phonon interaction in the transition-metal ferromagnets bcc Fe, fcc Co, and fcc Ni. The Elliott-Yafet electron-phonon spin-flip scattering is computed from first principles, employing a generalized spin-flip Eliashberg function as well as ab initio computed phonon dispersions. Aiming at investigating the amount of electron-phonon mediated demagnetization in femtosecond laser-excited ferromagnets, the formalism is extended to treat laser-created thermalized as well as nonequilibrium, nonthermal hot electron distributions. Using the developed formalism we compute the phonon-induced spin lifetimes of hot electrons in Fe, Co, and Ni. The electron-phonon mediated demagnetization rate is evaluated for laser-created thermalized and nonequilibrium electron distributions. Nonthermal distributions are found to lead to a stronger demagnetization rate than hot, thermalized distributions, yet their demagnetizing effect is not enough to explain the experimentally observed demagnetization occurring in the subpicosecond regime.

  • Received 22 February 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.87.184425

©2013 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

K. Carva1,2,*, M. Battiato1, D. Legut3, and P. M. Oppeneer1

  • 1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, P. O. Box 516, S-75120 Uppsala, Sweden
  • 2Charles University, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Ke Karlovu 5, CZ-12116 Prague 2, Czech Republic
  • 3Nanotechnology Centre, VSB-Technical University of Ostrava, 17. listopadu 15, CZ-708 33 Ostrava, Czech Republic

  • *karel.carva@fysik.uu.se

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 87, Iss. 18 — 1 May 2013

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review B

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×