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arXiv · 1805.02432

Single-shot multi-level all-optical magnetization switching mediated by spin-polarized hot electron transport

S. Iihama·Y. Xu·M. Deb·G. Malinowski·M. Hehn·J. Gorchon·E. E. Fullerton·S. Mangin
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Abstract

All-optical ultrafast magnetization switching in magnetic material thin film without the assistance of an applied external magnetic field is being explored for future ultrafast and energy-efficient magnetic storage and memories. It has been shown that femto-second light pulses induce magnetization reversal in a large variety of magnetic materials. However, so far, only GdFeCo-based ferrimagnetic thin films exhibit magnetization switching via a single optical pulse. Here we demonstrate the single-pulse switching of Co/Pt multilayers within a magnetic spin-valve structure ([Co/Pt] / Cu / GdFeCo) and further show that the four possible magnetic configurations of the spin valve can be accessed using a sequence of single femto-second light pulses. Our experimental study reveals that the magnetization final state of the ferromagnetic [Co/Pt] layer is determined by spin-polarized hot electrons generated by the light pulse interactions with the GdFeCo layer. This work provides a new approach to deterministically switch ferromagnetic layers and a pathway to engineering materials for opto-magnetic multi-bit recording.

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S. Iihama, Y. Xu, M. Deb, G. Malinowski, M. Hehn, J. Gorchon, E. E. Fullerton, S. Mangin. 2018-05-07. Single-shot multi-level all-optical magnetization switching mediated by spin-polarized hot electron transport. https://arxiv.org/abs/1805.02432

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