Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 18, 2025
11:21
Cooling an Optically Trapped Ultracold Fermi Gas by Periodical Driving
Published on: March 30, 2017
7.7K
Ultrafast control of magnetic interactions via light-driven phonons
D Afanasiev1, J R Hortensius2, B A Ivanov3,4
1Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands. dmytro.afanasiev@physik.uni-regensburg.de.
Nature Materials
|February 9, 2021
Summary
Researchers used light-driven phonons to control magnetic states in antiferromagnets. This technique allows for ultrafast switching between different magnetic orders, opening new avenues for materials science.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Ultrafast Spectroscopy
Background:
- Resonant excitation of infrared-active phonons is a key method for controlling material electronic properties.
- Previous studies demonstrated light-induced superconductivity, ferroelectric polarization switching, and insulator-to-metal transitions.
- Macroscopic magnetic states are typically controlled by external magnetic fields or temperature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of light-driven phonons for coherent manipulation of macroscopic magnetic states.
- To explore non-thermal lattice control of magnetic exchange interactions.
- To achieve ultrafast switching between competing magnetic orders.
Main Methods:
- Intense mid-infrared electric field pulses were used for resonant excitation of phonon modes.
- The archetypal antiferromagnet DyFeO3 was used as the model material.
- Time-resolved measurements were employed to observe changes in magnetic exchange interactions and spin orders.
Main Results:
- Ultrafast and long-living changes in the exchange interaction between rare-earth orbitals and transition metal spins were induced.
- Coherent switching between antiferromagnetic and weakly ferromagnetic spin orders was achieved on picosecond timescales.
- Non-thermal lattice control of magnetic exchange was demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- Light-driven phonons can be utilized to coherently manipulate macroscopic magnetic states.
- Resonant phonon excitation offers a powerful tool for ultrafast control of ferroic order.
- This discovery opens new possibilities for designing and controlling magnetic materials.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Magnetic Damping
797
Eddy currents can produce significant drag on motion, called magnetic damping. For instance, when a metallic pendulum bob swings between the poles of a strong magnet, significant drag acts on the bob as it enters and leaves the field, quickly damping the motion.
If, however, the bob is a slotted metal plate, the magnet produces a much smaller effect. When a slotted metal plate enters the field, an emf is induced by the change in flux; however, it is less effective because the slots limit the...
If, however, the bob is a slotted metal plate, the magnet produces a much smaller effect. When a slotted metal plate enters the field, an emf is induced by the change in flux; however, it is less effective because the slots limit the...
797
01:23Magnetic Field due to Moving Charges
10.9K
A stationary charge creates and interacts with the electric field, while a moving charge creates a magnetic field.
Consider a point charge moving with a constant velocity. Like the electric field, the magnetic field at any point is directly proportional to the magnitude of the charge and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the source point and the field point. However, unlike the electric field, the magnetic field is always perpendicular to the plane containing the line...
Consider a point charge moving with a constant velocity. Like the electric field, the magnetic field at any point is directly proportional to the magnitude of the charge and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the source point and the field point. However, unlike the electric field, the magnetic field is always perpendicular to the plane containing the line...
10.9K
01:23Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Relaxation Processes
912
In the absence of an external magnetic field, nuclear spin states are degenerate and randomly oriented. When a magnetic field is applied, the spins begin to precess and orient themselves along (lower energy) or against (higher energy) the direction of the field. At equilibrium, a slight excess population of spins exists in the lower energy state. Because the direction of the magnetic field is fixed as the z-axis, the precessing magnetic moments are randomly oriented around the z-axis.
912
01:12Double Resonance Techniques: Overview
497
Double resonance techniques in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy involve the simultaneous application of two different frequencies or radiofrequency pulses to manipulate and observe two distinct nuclear spins. One important application of double resonance is spin decoupling, which selectively suppresses coupling with one type of nucleus while observing the NMR signal from another nucleus, simplifying the spectrum and enhancing resolution.
Spin decoupling is usually achieved by...
Spin decoupling is usually achieved by...
497
01:17Force On A Current Loop In A Magnetic Field
3.7K
Magnetic forces on wires carrying current are most frequently applied in motors. A DC motor is a device that converts electrical energy into mechanical work. In motors, wire loops are enclosed in a magnetic field. When current flows through the loops, the magnetic field applies torque, which causes the shaft to rotate. The direction of the current is reversed once the loop's surface area is lined up with the magnetic field, causing a constant torque on the loop. During the process, commutators...
3.7K
01:24Potential Due to a Magnetized Object
652
Magnetic dipoles in magnetic materials are aligned when placed under an external magnetic field. For paramagnets and ferromagnets, dipole alignment occurs in the direction of the magnetic field. However, the dipoles align opposite to the field in the case of diamagnets. This state of magnetic polarization due to the external field is called magnetization. Magnetization is defined as the dipole moment per unit volume. It plays a similar role to polarization in electrostatics.
The vector...
The vector...
652