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Light-wave dynamic control of magnetism
Florian Siegrist1,2, Julia A Gessner1,2, Marcus Ossiander1
1Max-Planck-Institute of Quantum Optics, Garching, Germany.
Nature
|June 28, 2019
Summary
Researchers demonstrate ultrafast coherent magnetism, directly manipulating magnetic properties with light
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Optics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Electromagnetism is fundamental, with light-wave electronics controlling electronic properties.
- Magnetic properties are typically controlled indirectly and slowly, limiting spintronic applications.
- Direct, ultrafast control of magnetism has been a long-standing challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- Introduce and demonstrate ultrafast coherent magnetism.
- Achieve direct, light-field-driven manipulation of magnetic properties.
- Establish optical frequencies as the speed limit for future spintronic devices.
Main Methods:
- Developed an attosecond time-resolved magnetic circular dichroism detection scheme.
- Utilized ab initio quantum dynamical modeling.
- Investigated ferromagnetic layer stacks subjected to ultrashort laser pulses.
Main Results:
- Achieved direct manipulation of magnetic properties by light's electric-field oscillations.
- Reduced magnetic response time by two orders of magnitude.
- Observed synchronized spin/orbital momentum transfer with light-field-driven charge relocation.
Conclusions:
- Unveiled light-field coherent control of spin dynamics and macroscopic magnetic moments.
- Demonstrated simultaneous control of electronic and magnetic properties for spintronics.
- Established optical frequencies as the ultimate speed limit for coherent spintronic applications.
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