Ultrafast Electron and Spin Dynamics in Nickel Probed With Femtosecond X-Ray Pulses

Author

Dürr, H.A. ; Stamm, C. ; Kachel, T. ; Pontius, N. ; Mitzner, R. ; Quast, T. ; Holldack, K. ; Khan, S. ; Lupulescu, C. ; Aziz, E.F. ; Wietstruk, M. ; Eberhardt, W.

Author_Institution

Berliner Elektronenspeicherring-Gesellschaft fur Synchrotronstrahlung m.b.H. (BESSY), Berlin

Volume

44

Issue

7

fYear

2008

fDate

7/1/2008 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1957

Lastpage

1961

Abstract

We present the first X-ray absorption spectrum over an entire absorption edge using femtosecond pulses from a synchrotron-based slicing source. An ultrafast laser pulse excited a nickel film, and a succeeding X-ray pulse from the BESSY femtoslicing facility probed the Ni L₃-edge. By choosing either linear or circular X-ray polarization, the spectra represent snapshots of the electronic or the magnetic state, respectively, with an exposure time of about 100 fs. We find an almost instantaneous response of the electronic system to the laser pulse, and provide a first direct measurement of the quenching of magnetic moments within 120 fs.

Keywords

X-ray absorption spectra; band structure; ferromagnetic materials; high-speed optical techniques; magnetic circular dichroism; magnetic moments; magnetic structure; magnetic thin films; metallic thin films; nickel; spin dynamics; BESSY femtoslicing facility; Ni; X-ray absorption spectrum; circular X-ray polarization; electronic structure; femtosecond X-ray pulses; ferromagnetic metals; linear X-ray polarization; magnetic circular dichroism; magnetic moments; nickel film; spin dynamics; spin structure; synchrotron-based slicing source; ultrafast electron dynamics; ultrafast laser pulse; Femtosecond X-ray pulses; X-ray absorption; laser excitation; magnetization dynamics;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9464

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TMAG.2008.924544

Filename

4544906