Ultrafast optical manipulation of magnetic order

The interaction of subpicosecond laser pulses with magnetically ordered materials has developed into a fascinating research topic in modern magnetism. From the discovery of subpicosecond demagnetization over a decade ago to the recent demonstration of magnetization reversal by a single $40\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{fs}$ laser pulse, the manipulation of magnetic order by ultrashort laser pulses has become a fundamentally challenging topic with a potentially high impact for future spintronics, data storage and manipulation, and quantum computation. Understanding the underlying mechanisms implies understanding the interaction of photons with charges, spins, and lattice, and the angular momentum transfer…

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  Stichting voor Fundamenteel Onderzoek der Materie
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  Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek