title: Nanoscale sub-100 picosecond all-optical magnetization switching in GdFeCo microstructures.
abstract: Ultrafast magnetization reversal driven by femtosecond laser pulses has been shown to be a promising way to write information. Seeking to improve the recording density has raised intriguing fundamental questions about the feasibility of combining ultrafast temporal resolution with sub-wavelength spatial resolution for magnetic recording. Here we report on the experimental demonstration of nanoscale sub-100 ps all-optical magnetization switching, providing a path to sub-wavelength magnetic recording. Using computational methods, we reveal the feasibility of nanoscale magnetic switching even for an unfocused laser pulse. This effect is achieved by structuring the sample such that the laser pulse, via both refraction and interference, focuses onto a localized region of the structure, the position of which can be controlled by the structural design. Time-resolved photo-emission electron microscopy studies reveal that nanoscale magnetic switching employing such focusing can be pushed to the sub-100 ps regime.
authors.affiliation: 1] Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institut, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland [2] Institute for Methods and Instrumentation for Synchrotron Radiation Research (G-ISRR), Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 15, 12489 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Le Guyader
authors.affiliation: Radboud University Nijmegen, Institute for Molecules and Materials, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Savoini
authors.affiliation: Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institut, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: El Moussaoui
authors.affiliation: Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institut, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buzzi
authors.affiliation: College of Science and Technology, Nihon University, 24-1 Narashinodai 7-chome, Funabashi-shi, Chiba 274-8501, Japan.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsukamoto
authors.affiliation: College of Science and Technology, Nihon University, 24-1 Narashinodai 7-chome, Funabashi-shi, Chiba 274-8501, Japan.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Itoh
authors.affiliation: Radboud University Nijmegen, Institute for Molecules and Materials, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kirilyuk
authors.affiliation: Radboud University Nijmegen, Institute for Molecules and Materials, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rasing
authors.affiliation: Radboud University Nijmegen, Institute for Molecules and Materials, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Kimel
authors.affiliation: Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institut, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nolting