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We present time-resolved scanning x-ray microscopy measurements with picosecond photo-excitation via a tailored infrared pump laser at a scanning transmission x-ray microscope. Specifically, we image the laser-induced demagnetization and remagnetization of thin ferrimagnetic GdFe films proceeding on a few nanoseconds timescale. Controlling the heat load on the sample via additional reflector and heatsink layers allows us to conduct destruction-free measurements at a repetition rate of 50 MHz. Near-field enhancement of the photo-excitation and controlled annealing effects lead to laterally heterogeneous magnetization dynamics which we trace with 30 nm spatial resolution. Our work opens new opportunities to study photo-induced dynamics on the nanometer scale, with access to picosecond to nanosecond time scales, which is of technological relevance, especially in the field of magnetism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All-optical switching of magnetic order presents a promising route toward faster and more energy efficient data storage. However, a realization in future devices is ultimately dependent on the maximum repetition rates of optically induced write/erase cycles. Here, we present two strategies to minimize the temporal separation of two consecutive femtosecond laser pulses to toggle the out-of-plane direction of the magnetization of ferrimagnetic rare-earth transition metal alloys. First, by systematically changing the heat transfer rates using either amorphous glass, crystalline silicon, or polycrystalline diamond substrates, we show that efficient cooling rates of the magnetic system present a prerequisite to accelerate the sequence of double pulse toggle switching. Second, we demonstrate that replacing the transition metal iron by cobalt leads to a significantly faster recovery of the magnetization after optical excitation allowing us to approach terahertz frequency of write/erase cycles with a minimum pulse-to-pulse separation of 7 ps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic skyrmions can be created and annihilated in ferromagnetic multilayers using single femtosecond infrared laser pulses above a material-dependent fluence threshold. From the perspective of applications, optical control of skyrmions offers a route to a faster and, potentially, more energy-efficient new class of information-technology devices. Here, we investigate laser-induced skyrmion generation in two different materials, mapping out the dependence of the process on the applied field and the laser fluence. We observe that sample properties like strength of the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction and pinning do not considerably influence the initial step of optical creation. In contrast, the number of skyrmions created can be directly and robustly controlled via the applied field and the laser fluence. Based on our findings, we propose concepts for applications, such as all-optical writing and deletion, an ultrafast skyrmion reshuffling device for probabilistic computing, and a combined optical and spin–orbit torque-controlled racetrack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Further advances in the field of ultrafast magnetization dynamics require experimental tools to measure the spin and electron dynamics with element-specificity and femtosecond temporal resolution. We present a new laboratory setup for two complementary experiments with light in the extreme ultraviolet (XUV) spectral range. One experiment is designed for polarization-dependent transient spectroscopy, particularly for simultaneous measurements of magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) at the 3p resonances of the 3d transition metals Fe, Co, and Ni. The second instrument is designed for resonant small-angle scattering experiments with monochromatic light allowing us to monitor spin dynamics with spatial information on the nanometer scale. We combine a high harmonic generation (HHG) source with a phase shifter to obtain XUV pulses with variable polarization and a flux of about (3 ± 1) × 1010 photons/s/harmonic at 60 eV at the source. A dedicated reference spectrometer effectively reduces the intensity fluctuations of the HHG spectrum to below 0.12% rms. We demonstrate the capabilities of the setup by capturing the energy- and polarization-dependent absorption of a thin Co film as well as the time-resolved small-angle scattering in a magnetic-domain network of a Co/Pt multilayer. The new laboratory setup allows systematic studies of optically induced spin and electron dynamics with element-specificity, particularly with MCD as the contrast mechanism with femtosecond temporal resolution and an unprecedented signal-to-noise ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Co0.4 nm/Pd0.7 nm]50 multilayers with Pd film thicknesses in the first ferromagnetic maximum of interlayer exchange coupling display almost purely perpendicular-to-plane anisotropy and labyrinth stripe domain patterns in remanence. Their magnetization reversal is characterized by domain nucleation starting at a defined field HN and domain wall movement in a defined magnetic field range. The modification of the magnetization reversal by 10 keV He ion bombardment due to the reduced magnetic anisotropy has been investigated by polar magneto-optical Kerr effect, by vibrating sample magnetometry, and by magnetic force microscopy at room temperature. It is shown that the ion bombardment creates and increases areas with ferromagnetic in-plane anisotropy and proportions of the sample showing superparamagnetism, the latter predominantly in the deeper layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sputter deposited Mn83Ir17(30 nm)/Co70Fe30(10 nm)/Ta thin films have been investigated for their thermal exchange bias field drift at different storage temperatures after 10 keV He+ ion bombardment in an externally applied in-plane magnetic field. It is experimentally shown that the drift coefficient in an intermediate time interval, as given in a recently developed model, is proportional to T and proportional to the initial number of coupling sites in the polycrystalline exchange bias layer system used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal exchange bias field drift of sputter deposited Mn83Ir17(15 nm)/Co70Fe30(10 nm)/Ta thin films at room temperature after 10 keV He+ ion bombardment in an externally applied in-plane magnetic field for different ion fluences was studied. Although field cooling of the layer system resulted in a temporally stable exchange bias field at room temperature the exchange bias field starts to drift after ion bombardment like in non-annealed samples. Between 1 and 648 h after ion bombardment a logarithmic increase in the absolute magnitude of the exchange bias field is observed. A tentative model is presented for its description based on noninteracting domains in the antiferromagnet. A comparison between experimental data and the model reveals the delicate interplay between the ion bombardment modified average antiferromagnetic anisotropy constants, exchange coupling constants, and relaxation time distributions in the polycrystalline layer system influencing the thermal drift velocities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A quantitative analysis of magnetic force microscopy (MFM) images taken in external in-plane magnetic fields is difficult because of the influence of the magnetic field on the magnetization state of the magnetic probe tip. We prepared calibration samples by ion bombardment induced magnetic patterning with a topographically flat magnetic pattern magnetically stable in a certain external magnetic field range for a quantitative characterization of the MFM probe tip magnetization in point-dipole approximation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exchange-biased IrMn/CoFe full films are magnetically structured with He-ion bombardment into stripes with antiparallel-aligned loop shift. The patterning results in a two-step magnetization loop corresponding to two regions of oppositely aligned exchange bias. The longitudinal magnetization reversal through head-on domain-wall motion and partial penetration of magnetization from neighboring strips is highly asymmetric involving ripplelike domain structures and incoherent rotation of magnetization. In addition, Néel-wall-like structures with a preferred sense of rotation are formed at the edges of the strips. Along the transverse direction the reversal is dominated by the switching of the magnetic border structures between the strips. Complicated domain patterns are generated under other external field angles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new plasma ion source for in situ keV He ion bombardment of solid state samples or thin films was designed and built for ion fluences between 1 × 1012 and 1 × 1017 ions/cm2. The system was designed to be mounted to different diffraction chambers for soft x-ray resonant magnetic scattering. Without breaking the vacuum due to He-ion bombardment, structural and magnetic modifications of the samples can be studied in situ and element specifically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The controlled movement of magnetic beads trapped on a surface in the moving inhomogeneous stray fields of moving domain walls between artificial domains of exchange bias layer systems has been applied for mixing of two aqueous fluids in a microfluidic device of small volume. The mixing of the two fluids can be considerably accelerated by transporting full rows of beads and use them as micro stirrers. The mixing speed in the current experiment is tripled in the first 6 min of mixing as compared to normal diffusion even for ratios of 250 between container height and bead diameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]