Deterministic character of all-optical magnetization switching in GdFe-based ferrimagnetic alloys

作者：Le Guyader L^*; El Moussaoui S; Buzzi M; Savoini M; Tsukamoto A; Itoh A; Kirilyuk A; Rasing Th; Nolting F; Kimel A V

来源：Physical Review B, 2016, 93(13): 134402.

DOI：10.1103/PhysRevB.93.134402

Using photoemission electron microscopy with x-ray magnetic circular dichroism as a contrast mechanism, new insights into the all-optical magnetization switching (AOS) phenomenon in GdFe-based rare-earth transition-metal ferrimagnetic alloys are provided. From a sequence of static images taken after single linearly polarized laser pulse excitation, the repeatability of AOS can be quantified with a correlation coefficient. It is found that low coercivity enables thermally activated domain-wall motion, limiting in turn the repeatability of the switching. Time-resolved measurements of the magnetization dynamics reveal that while AOS occurs below and above the magnetization compensation temperature T-M, it is not observed in GdFe samples where T-M is absent. Finally, AOS is experimentally demonstrated against an applied magnetic field of up to 180 mT.

• 出版日期2016-4-1