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Visualizing Uniaxial-strain Manipulation of Antiferromagnetic Domains in Fe1+YTe Using a Spin-polarized Scanning Tunneling Microscope
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Ultrafast optically induced spin transfer in ferromagnetic alloys
M Hofherr1,2, S Häuser1, J K Dewhurst3
1Technische Universität Kaiserslautern und Landesforschungszentrum OPTIMAS, Erwin-Schroedinger Strasse 46, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany.
Science Advances
|February 4, 2020
Summary
Researchers demonstrate ultrafast, coherent spin transfer in Fe-Ni alloys using light. This breakthrough paves the way for controlling spin dynamics on subfemtosecond timescales, heralding the era of attomagnetism.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Quantum Optics
Background:
- Manipulating electronic and spin excitations in materials requires advanced experimental and theoretical methods.
- Coherent control of magnetic subsystems on ultrafast timescales is crucial for next-generation technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide experimental evidence of direct, ultrafast, and coherent spin transfer between magnetic subsystems.
- To explore the possibility of controlling spin dynamics on subfemtosecond timescales.
Main Methods:
- Ultrafast optical spectroscopy to probe spin dynamics.
- Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) simulations for theoretical validation.
Main Results:
- Experimental observation of direct, ultrafast, and coherent spin transfer in an Fe-Ni alloy.
- TD-DFT simulations fully support the experimental findings, confirming coherent spin dynamics.
Conclusions:
- Coherent spin transfer on subfemtosecond timescales is achievable.
- This work establishes the foundation for the new research field of attomagnetism, enabling unprecedented control over spin dynamics.
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