Subnanosecond magnetization dynamics induced by a pulsed magnetic field in diluted magnetic semiconductor quantum wells.

The magnetization dynamics induced by a pulsed magnetic field is investigated by time- and polarization-resolved photoluminescene measurements in (Cd,Mn)Te/(Cd,Mg)Te quantum wells. The magnetization dynamics of Mn2+ ions is found to be strongly dependent on the external static magnetic field. A dynamical response of the magnetization on a subnanosecond time scale is observed at zero static magnetic field, while it drastically slows down and approaches the spin-lattice relaxation time constant for a nonzero static field. Theoretical calculations emphasize the importance of local spin interactions that interplay with the Zeeman interaction for the observed magnetization dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]