title: All-optical probe of coherent spin waves.
abstract: A novel, all-optical method to excite and detect spin waves in magnetic materials is presented. By exploiting the temperature dependence of the magnetic anisotropy, an ultrashort laser pulse is efficiently converted in a picosecond "anisotropy field" pulse that triggers a coherent precession of the magnetization. Recording the temporal evolution of the precessing spins by a time-delayed probe-pulse provides a quantitative method to study locally the magnetic anisotropy, as well as switching and damping phenomena in micromagnetic structures. Applications to nickel and permalloy ( Ni80Fe20) films are discussed, particularly showing the possibility to explore standing spin waves in thin films.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Physics, Center for NanoMaterials and COBRA Research Institute, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Kampen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jozsa
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Kohlhepp
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: LeClair
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lagae
authors.forename: W J M
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: De Jonge
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Koopmans