title: Coherent magnetization rotation and phase control by ultrashort optical pulses in CrO(2) thin films.
abstract: We have applied photoexcitation by ultrashort laser pulses to single crystal thin CrO(2) films to trigger coherent transient magnetization rotation on a subnanosecond time scale, in macroscale single domains. Moreover, by applying the photoexcitation by pairs of temporally separated pump pulses, the transient precession of the magnetization can be phase controlled, depending on the time separation between the pulses. The mechanism behind the photoexcitation originates from the modulation of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy by nonthermal hot electron spins.
authors.affiliation: Division of Engineering and Department of Physics, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Nurmikko
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anguelouch
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gupta