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arXiv · 0902.3800

Athermal All-Optical Femtosecond Magnetization Reversal in GdFeCo

J. Hohlfeld·C. D. Stanciu·A. Rebei
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Abstract

Magnetization reversal in GdFeCo by circularly polarized light is shown to occur at the femtosecond time scale. In contrast to the well known laser-assisted magnetization reversal based on the laser heating, we here demonstrate that this femtosecond all-optical magnetization reversal is more efficient at lower temperatures. The lower the temperatures, the smaller the laser fluence required for the switching. This switching is in agreement with a more recent theoretical prediction $[ \text{Phys. Lett. A \textbf{372}, 1915 (2008)} ] $ and demonstrates the feasibility of the femtosecond athermal magnetization reversal.

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J. Hohlfeld, C. D. Stanciu, A. Rebei. 2009-02-22. Athermal All-Optical Femtosecond Magnetization Reversal in GdFeCo. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3119313

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