@phdthesis{Zeuschner2022, author = {Zeuschner, Steffen Peer}, title = {Magnetoacoustics observed with ultrafast x-ray diffraction}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-56109}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-561098}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {V, 128, IX}, year = {2022}, abstract = {In the present thesis I investigate the lattice dynamics of thin film hetero structures of magnetically ordered materials upon femtosecond laser excitation as a probing and manipulation scheme for the spin system. The quantitative assessment of laser induced thermal dynamics as well as generated picosecond acoustic pulses and their respective impact on the magnetization dynamics of thin films is a challenging endeavor. All the more, the development and implementation of effective experimental tools and comprehensive models are paramount to propel future academic and technological progress. In all experiments in the scope of this cumulative dissertation, I examine the crystal lattice of nanoscale thin films upon the excitation with femtosecond laser pulses. The relative change of the lattice constant due to thermal expansion or picosecond strain pulses is directly monitored by an ultrafast X-ray diffraction (UXRD) setup with a femtosecond laser-driven plasma X-ray source (PXS). Phonons and spins alike exert stress on the lattice, which responds according to the elastic properties of the material, rendering the lattice a versatile sensor for all sorts of ultrafast interactions. On the one hand, I investigate materials with strong magneto-elastic properties; The highly magnetostrictive rare-earth compound TbFe2, elemental Dysprosium or the technological relevant Invar material FePt. On the other hand I conduct a comprehensive study on the lattice dynamics of Bi1Y2Fe5O12 (Bi:YIG), which exhibits high-frequency coherent spin dynamics upon femtosecond laser excitation according to the literature. Higher order standing spinwaves (SSWs) are triggered by coherent and incoherent motion of atoms, in other words phonons, which I quantified with UXRD. We are able to unite the experimental observations of the lattice and magnetization dynamics qualitatively and quantitatively. This is done with a combination of multi-temperature, elastic, magneto-elastic, anisotropy and micro-magnetic modeling. The collective data from UXRD, to probe the lattice, and time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect (tr-MOKE) measurements, to monitor the magnetization, were previously collected at different experimental setups. To improve the precision of the quantitative assessment of lattice and magnetization dynamics alike, our group implemented a combination of UXRD and tr-MOKE in a singular experimental setup, which is to my knowledge, the first of its kind. I helped with the conception and commissioning of this novel experimental station, which allows the simultaneous observation of lattice and magnetization dynamics on an ultrafast timescale under identical excitation conditions. Furthermore, I developed a new X-ray diffraction measurement routine which significantly reduces the measurement time of UXRD experiments by up to an order of magnitude. It is called reciprocal space slicing (RSS) and utilizes an area detector to monitor the angular motion of X-ray diffraction peaks, which is associated with lattice constant changes, without a time-consuming scan of the diffraction angles with the goniometer. RSS is particularly useful for ultrafast diffraction experiments, since measurement time at large scale facilities like synchrotrons and free electron lasers is a scarce and expensive resource. However, RSS is not limited to ultrafast experiments and can even be extended to other diffraction techniques with neutrons or electrons.}, language = {en} } @misc{vonReppertMatternPudelletal.2020, author = {von Reppert, Alexander and Mattern, Maximilian and Pudell, Jan-Etienne and Zeuschner, Steffen Peer and Dumesnil, Karine and Bargheer, Matias}, title = {Unconventional picosecond strain pulses resulting from the saturation of magnetic stress within a photoexcited rare earth layer}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {899}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-46935}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-469350}, pages = {15}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Optical excitation of spin-ordered rare earth metals triggers a complex response of the crystal lattice since expansive stresses from electron and phonon excitations compete with a contractive stress induced by spin disorder. Using ultrafast x-ray diffraction experiments, we study the layer specific strain response of a dysprosium film within a metallic heterostructure upon femtosecond laser-excitation. The elastic and diffusive transport of energy to an adjacent, non-excited detection layer clearly separates the contributions of strain pulses and thermal excitations in the time domain. We find that energy transfer processes to magnetic excitations significantly modify the observed conventional bipolar strain wave into a unipolar pulse. By modeling the spin system as a saturable energy reservoir that generates substantial contractive stress on ultrafast timescales, we can reproduce the observed strain response and estimate the time- and space dependent magnetic stress. The saturation of the magnetic stress contribution yields a non-monotonous total stress within the nanolayer, which leads to unconventional picosecond strain pulses.}, language = {en} } @article{vonReppertMatternPudelletal.2020, author = {von Reppert, Alexander and Mattern, Maximilian and Pudell, Jan-Etienne and Zeuschner, Steffen Peer and Dumesnil, Karine and Bargheer, Matias}, title = {Unconventional picosecond strain pulses resulting from the saturation of magnetic stress within a photoexcited rare earth layer}, series = {Structural Dynamics}, volume = {7}, journal = {Structural Dynamics}, number = {024303}, publisher = {AIP Publishing LLC}, address = {Melville, NY}, issn = {2329-7778}, doi = {10.1063/1.5145315}, pages = {13}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Optical excitation of spin-ordered rare earth metals triggers a complex response of the crystal lattice since expansive stresses from electron and phonon excitations compete with a contractive stress induced by spin disorder. Using ultrafast x-ray diffraction experiments, we study the layer specific strain response of a dysprosium film within a metallic heterostructure upon femtosecond laser-excitation. The elastic and diffusive transport of energy to an adjacent, non-excited detection layer clearly separates the contributions of strain pulses and thermal excitations in the time domain. We find that energy transfer processes to magnetic excitations significantly modify the observed conventional bipolar strain wave into a unipolar pulse. By modeling the spin system as a saturable energy reservoir that generates substantial contractive stress on ultrafast timescales, we can reproduce the observed strain response and estimate the time- and space dependent magnetic stress. The saturation of the magnetic stress contribution yields a non-monotonous total stress within the nanolayer, which leads to unconventional picosecond strain pulses.}, language = {en} } @article{MatternvonReppertZeuschneretal.2022, author = {Mattern, Maximilian and von Reppert, Alexander and Zeuschner, Steffen Peer and Pudell, Jan-Etienne and K{\"u}hne, F. and Diesing, Detlef and Herzog, Marc and Bargheer, Matias}, title = {Electronic energy transport in nanoscale Au/Fe hetero-structures in the perspective of ultrafast lattice dynamics}, series = {Applied physics letters}, volume = {120}, journal = {Applied physics letters}, number = {9}, publisher = {AIP Publishing}, address = {Melville}, issn = {0003-6951}, doi = {10.1063/5.0080378}, pages = {5}, year = {2022}, abstract = {We study the ultrafast electronic transport of energy in a photoexcited nanoscale Au/Fe hetero-structure by modeling the spatiotemporal profile of energy densities that drives transient strain, which we quantify by femtosecond x-ray diffraction. This flow of energy is relevant for intrinsic demagnetization and ultrafast spin transport. We measured lattice strain for different Fe layer thicknesses ranging from few atomic layers to several nanometers and modeled the spatiotemporal flow of energy densities. The combination of a high electron-phonon coupling coefficient and a large Sommerfeld constant in Fe is found to yield electronic transfer of nearly all energy from Au to Fe within the first hundreds of femtoseconds.}, language = {en} } @article{ZeuschnerParpiievPezeriletal.2019, author = {Zeuschner, Steffen Peer and Parpiiev, Tymur and Pezeril, Thomas and Hillion, Arnaud and Dumesnil, Karine and Anane, Abdelmadjid and Pudell, Jan-Etienne and Willig, Lisa and R{\"o}ssle, Matthias and Herzog, Marc and von Reppert, Alexander and Bargheer, Matias}, title = {Tracking picosecond strain pulses in heterostructures that exhibit giant magnetostriction}, series = {Structural Dynamics}, volume = {6}, journal = {Structural Dynamics}, number = {2}, publisher = {AIP Publishing LLC}, address = {Melville, NY}, issn = {2329-7778}, doi = {10.1063/1.5084140}, pages = {9}, year = {2019}, abstract = {We combine ultrafast X-ray diffraction (UXRD) and time-resolved Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect (MOKE) measurements to monitor the strain pulses in laser-excited TbFe2/Nb heterostructures. Spatial separation of the Nb detection layer from the laser excitation region allows for a background-free characterization of the laser-generated strain pulses. We clearly observe symmetric bipolar strain pulses if the excited TbFe2 surface terminates the sample and a decomposition of the strain wavepacket into an asymmetric bipolar and a unipolar pulse, if a SiO2 glass capping layer covers the excited TbFe2 layer. The inverse magnetostriction of the temporally separated unipolar strain pulses in this sample leads to a MOKE signal that linearly depends on the strain pulse amplitude measured through UXRD. Linear chain model simulations accurately predict the timing and shape of UXRD and MOKE signals that are caused by the strain reflections from multiple interfaces in the heterostructure.}, language = {en} } @misc{ZeuschnerParpiievPezeriletal.2019, author = {Zeuschner, Steffen Peer and Parpiiev, Tymur and Pezeril, Thomas and Hillion, Arnaud and Dumesnil, Karine and Anane, Abdelmadjid and Pudell, Jan-Etienne and Willig, Lisa and R{\"o}ssle, Matthias and Herzog, Marc and von Reppert, Alexander and Bargheer, Matias}, title = {Tracking picosecond strain pulses in heterostructures that exhibit giant magnetostriction}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {706}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-42845}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-428457}, pages = {9}, year = {2019}, abstract = {We combine ultrafast X-ray diffraction (UXRD) and time-resolved Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect (MOKE) measurements to monitor the strain pulses in laser-excited TbFe2/Nb heterostructures. Spatial separation of the Nb detection layer from the laser excitation region allows for a background-free characterization of the laser-generated strain pulses. We clearly observe symmetric bipolar strain pulses if the excited TbFe2 surface terminates the sample and a decomposition of the strain wavepacket into an asymmetric bipolar and a unipolar pulse, if a SiO2 glass capping layer covers the excited TbFe2 layer. The inverse magnetostriction of the temporally separated unipolar strain pulses in this sample leads to a MOKE signal that linearly depends on the strain pulse amplitude measured through UXRD. Linear chain model simulations accurately predict the timing and shape of UXRD and MOKE signals that are caused by the strain reflections from multiple interfaces in the heterostructure.}, language = {en} } @article{ZeuschnerWangDebetal.2022, author = {Zeuschner, Steffen Peer and Wang, Xi-Guang and Deb, Marwan and Popova, Elena and Malinowski, Gregory and Hehn, Michel and Keller, Niels and Berakdar, Jamal and Bargheer, Matias}, title = {Standing spin wave excitation in Bi}, series = {Physical review : B, Condensed matter and materials physics}, volume = {106}, journal = {Physical review : B, Condensed matter and materials physics}, number = {13}, publisher = {American Physical Society}, address = {College Park}, issn = {2469-9950}, doi = {10.1103/PhysRevB.106.134401}, pages = {9}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Based on micromagnetic simulations and experimental observations of the magnetization and lattice dynamics after the direct optical excitation of the magnetic insulator Bi : YIG or indirect excitation via an optically opaque Pt/Cu double layer, we disentangle the dynamical effects of magnetic anisotropy and magneto-elastic coupling. The strain and temperature of the lattice are quantified via modeling ultrafast x-ray diffraction data. Measurements of the time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect agree well with the magnetization dynamics simulated according to the excitation via two mechanisms: the magneto-elastic coupling to the experimentally verified strain dynamics and the ultrafast temperature-induced transient change in the magnetic anisotropy. The numerical modeling proves that, for direct excitation, both mechanisms drive the fundamental mode with opposite phase. The relative ratio of standing spin wave amplitudes of higher-order modes indicates that both mechanisms are substantially active.}, language = {en} } @article{ZeuschnerMatternPudelletal.2021, author = {Zeuschner, Steffen Peer and Mattern, Maximilian and Pudell, Jan-Etienne and von Reppert, Alexander and R{\"o}ssle, M. and Leitenberger, Wolfram and Schwarzkopf, J. and Boschker, J. E. and Herzog, Marc and Bargheer, Matias}, title = {Reciprocal space slicing}, series = {Structural Dynamics}, volume = {8}, journal = {Structural Dynamics}, publisher = {AIP Publishing LLC}, address = {Melville, NY}, issn = {2329-7778}, doi = {10.1063/4.0000040}, pages = {11}, year = {2021}, abstract = {An experimental technique that allows faster assessment of out-of-plane strain dynamics of thin film heterostructures via x-ray diffraction is presented. In contrast to conventional high-speed reciprocal space-mapping setups, our approach reduces the measurement time drastically due to a fixed measurement geometry with a position-sensitive detector. This means that neither the incident (ω) nor the exit (2θ) diffraction angle is scanned during the strain assessment via x-ray diffraction. Shifts of diffraction peaks on the fixed x-ray area detector originate from an out-of-plane strain within the sample. Quantitative strain assessment requires the determination of a factor relating the observed shift to the change in the reciprocal lattice vector. The factor depends only on the widths of the peak along certain directions in reciprocal space, the diffraction angle of the studied reflection, and the resolution of the instrumental setup. We provide a full theoretical explanation and exemplify the concept with picosecond strain dynamics of a thin layer of NbO2.}, language = {en} } @misc{ZeuschnerMatternPudelletal.2021, author = {Zeuschner, Steffen Peer and Mattern, Maximilian and Pudell, Jan-Etienne and von Reppert, Alexander and R{\"o}ssle, M. and Leitenberger, Wolfram and Schwarzkopf, J. and Boschker, J. E. and Herzog, Marc and Bargheer, Matias}, title = {Reciprocal space slicing}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {1137}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-49976}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-499761}, pages = {13}, year = {2021}, abstract = {An experimental technique that allows faster assessment of out-of-plane strain dynamics of thin film heterostructures via x-ray diffraction is presented. In contrast to conventional high-speed reciprocal space-mapping setups, our approach reduces the measurement time drastically due to a fixed measurement geometry with a position-sensitive detector. This means that neither the incident (ω) nor the exit (2θ) diffraction angle is scanned during the strain assessment via x-ray diffraction. Shifts of diffraction peaks on the fixed x-ray area detector originate from an out-of-plane strain within the sample. Quantitative strain assessment requires the determination of a factor relating the observed shift to the change in the reciprocal lattice vector. The factor depends only on the widths of the peak along certain directions in reciprocal space, the diffraction angle of the studied reflection, and the resolution of the instrumental setup. We provide a full theoretical explanation and exemplify the concept with picosecond strain dynamics of a thin layer of NbO2.}, language = {en} } @article{MatternvonReppertZeuschneretal.2023, author = {Mattern, Maximilian and von Reppert, Alexander and Zeuschner, Steffen Peer and Herzog, Marc and Pudell, Jan-Etienne and Bargheer, Matias}, title = {Concepts and use cases for picosecond ultrasonics with x-rays}, series = {Photoacoustics}, volume = {31}, journal = {Photoacoustics}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {2213-5979}, doi = {10.1016/j.pacs.2023.100503}, pages = {22}, year = {2023}, abstract = {This review discusses picosecond ultrasonics experiments using ultrashort hard x-ray probe pulses to extract the transient strain response of laser-excited nanoscopic structures from Bragg-peak shifts. This method provides direct, layer-specific, and quantitative information on the picosecond strain response for structures down to few-nm thickness. We model the transient strain using the elastic wave equation and express the driving stress using Gruneisen parameters stating that the laser-induced stress is proportional to energy density changes in the microscopic subsystems of the solid, i.e., electrons, phonons and spins. The laser-driven strain response can thus serve as an ultrafast proxy for local energy-density and temperature changes, but we emphasize the importance of the nanoscale morphology for an accurate interpretation due to the Poisson effect. The presented experimental use cases encompass ultrathin and opaque metal-heterostructures, continuous and granular nanolayers as well as negative thermal expansion materials, that each pose a challenge to established all-optical techniques.}, language = {en} }