Resolving the role of magnetic circular dichroism in multishot helicity-dependent all-optical switching
- By conducting helicity-dependent ultrafast magnetization dynamics in a CoTb ferrimagnetic alloy, we are able to quantitatively determine the magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) and resolve its role in the helicity-dependent all-optical switching (AOS). Unequivocal interpretation of the sign of the dichroism is provided by performing AOS and femtosecond laser-induced domain wall motion experiments. We demonstrate that AOS occurs when the magnetization is initially in the most absorbent state, according to the light helicity. Moreover, we evidence that the MCD creates a thermal gradient that drives a domain wall toward hotter regions. Our experimental results are in agreement with the purely thermal models of AOS.
| Author details: | Yassine QuessabORCiD, Marwan DebORCiD, J. Gorchon, M. Hehn, Gregory Malinowski, S. Mangin |
|---|---|
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.100.024425 |
| ISSN: | 2469-9950 |
| ISSN: | 2469-9969 |
| Title of parent work (English): | Physical review : B, Condensed matter and materials physics |
| Publisher: | American Physical Society |
| Place of publishing: | College Park |
| Publication type: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Date of first publication: | 2019/07/23 |
| Publication year: | 2019 |
| Release date: | 2021/01/04 |
| Volume: | 100 |
| Issue: | 2 |
| Number of pages: | 5 |
| Funding institution: | [ANR-15-IDEX-04-LUE]; ICEEL -Matelas |
| Organizational units: | Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät / Institut für Physik und Astronomie |
| DDC classification: | 5 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik / 53 Physik / 530 Physik |
| Peer review: | Referiert |
| Publishing method: | Open Access / Green Open-Access |
