Workgroup Prof. Aeschlimann

Ultrafast magnetization dynamics

One of the greatest challenges for modern information technology is to develop new concepts to increase the speed of data storage and data processing beyond todays’ GHz limit. In our research, we investigate the magnetization dynamics of magnetic materials after strong optical excitons with ultrashort light pulses. In this way, we aim to understand the fundamental mechanism governing the optically-induced magnetization dynamics of matter and to manipulate magnetic states of matter on yet unprecedented sub-picosecond timescales. In our research, we particularly focus on

  • Ultrafast magnetization dynamics of magnetic model systems
  • Optically-induced spin transport phenomena in magnetic material and multilayer films
  • Magnetization dynamics of magnetic sub-systems in multi-compound materials and magnetic alloys
  • All optical switching (AOS)

For our investigations, we employ advanced all-optical pump-probe spectroscopy based on the magneto-optical Kerr effect in the visible spectral range. In addition, the element-specific magnetization dynamics of multi-compound materials can be directly monitored Kerr spectroscopy using fs-XUV radiation, generated by High Harmonic Generation (HHG).

This aspect of our research is strongly embedded in the collaborative reserach center Spin+X.

Selected Publications

  • Induced versus intrinsic magnetic moments in ultrafast magnetization dynamics
    M. Hofherr, S. Moretti, J. Shim, S. Häuser, N. Y. Safonova, M. Stiehl, A. Ali, S. Sakshath, J. W. Kim, D. H. Kim, H. J. Kim, J. I. Hong, H. C. Kapteyn, M. M. Murnane, M. Cinchetti, D. Steil, S. Mathias, B. Stadtmüller, M. Albrecht, D. E. Kim, U. Nowak, M. Aeschlimann
    Phys. Rev. B 98, 174419 (2018)
  • Speed and efficiency of femtosecond spin current injection into a nonmagnetic material
    M. Hofherr, P. Maldonado, O. Schmitt, M. Berritta, U. Bierbrauer, S. Sadashivaiah, A. J. Schellekens, B. Koopmans, D. Steil, M. Cinchetti, B. Stadtmüller, P. M. Oppeneer, S. Mathias, M. Aeschlimann
    Phys. Rev. B 96, 100403 (2017)
  • Ultrafast magnetization dynamics in Nickel: impact of pump photon energy
    U. Bierbrauer, S. T. Weber, D. Schummer, M. Barkowski, A.-K. Mahro, S. Mathias, H.-C Schneider, B. Stadtmüller, M. Aeschlimann, B. Rethfeld
    J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 29, 244002 (2017)
  • Stoner versus Heisenberg. Ultrafast exchange reduction and magnon generation during laser-induced demagnetization
    E. Turgut, D. Zusin, D. Legut, K. Carva, R. Knut, J. M. Shaw, C. Chen, Z. Tao, H. T. Nembach, T. J. Silva, S. Mathias, M. Aeschlimann, P. M. Oppeneer, H. C. Kapteyn, M. M. Murnane, P. Grychtol
    Phys. Revv B 94, 220408 (2016)
  • All-optical control of ferromagnetic thin films and nanostructures
    C-H Lambert, S. Mangin, B. S. D. Ch S. Varaprasad, Y. K. Takahashi, M. Hehn, M. Cinchetti, G. Malinowski, K. Hono, Y. Fainman, M. Aeschlimann, E. E. Fullerton
    Science 345 (6202), 1337–1340 (2014) 
  • Engineered materials for all-optical helicity-dependent magnetic switching
    S. Mangin, M. Gottwald, C-H Lambert, D. Steil, V. Uhlir, L. Pang, M. Hehn, S. Alebrand, M. Cinchetti, G. Malinowski, Y. Fainman, M. Aeschlimann and E. E. Fullerton
    Nat. Mater. 13 (3), 286–292 (2014)
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