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Element-specific investigation of femtosecond magnetization dynamics

Subject Area Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
Term from 2012 to 2016
Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 211330394
 
Final Report Year 2017

Final Report Abstract

In the framework of the DFG-Project we investigated elementspecific ultrafast magnetization dynamics and domain structure with nm lateral resolution in magnetic thin films, alloys and multilayers employing magneto-optics in the extreme ultraviolet (XUV) and soft X-ray regimes. In the investigations, we were using laser-driven high-harmonic generation (HHG) ultrashort-pulse light as well as synchrotron based sources. Element-specificity and ultrahigh time-resolution of laser driven sources allow access to the magnetic coupling and dynamics on the time-scale of the exchange interaction (≈10-100 fs). Due to experimental constraints, this research area has been largely unexplored, and our work in the framework of the current project contributed substantially to novel insights into both spin dynamics as well as development of experimental methodology. In a systematic manner, we explored the fundamental role of exchange coupling on the ultrafast magnetic response in magnetic materials and looked into previously unexplored field of magnetization dynamics in transition metal (TM) multilayers, TM-TM alloys, as well as Heusler alloys and amorphous rareearth-TM compounds. Access to both M- and L-absorption edges of the magnetic materials at the synchrotron provided the basis to a deeper understanding of the ultrafast magneto-optic response in the XUV spectral range. Our research project addressed element-specific ultrafast magnetization dynamics in complex magnetic materials and multilayers by a unique combination of laboratory based and synchrotron techniques. The defined challenges associated with methodology, materials aspects, and fundamental physics were successfully mastered.

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