Magnetization Dynamics and magnetic microscopy on the picosecond timescale

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Georg Woltersdorf
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2002 to 2009
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5372890

We will study the response of the magnetization of micron sized magnetic elements and extended films when they are excited by fast rise time magnetic field pulses. Investigations will utilize a time resolved scanning Kerr microscope with temporal resolution of about 1 ps and spatial resolution of 0.3 - 1 micron. The fast rise time field pulses will trigger the precessional motion of the magnetization which will be recorded locally. In this way, we gain information on non-uniform magnetization excitations on the picosecond time-scale. The experiments can be performed in air and in ultra high vacuum which allows us to investigate clean epitaxially grown single crystalline magnetic layers. In addition, micron sized magnetic elements can be grown in-situ. Special emphasis will be given to the evolution of the damping parameter in these clean samples. In addition, exchange coupled ferromagnetic layers will be studied when excited by a fast magnetic field pulse.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1133: Ultrafast magnetization processes
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Christian Back