The 277th Special CMSM seminar

ULTRA-FAST ALL OPTICAL SWITCHING IN SPINTRONIC DEVICES

Prof. Stephane Mangin

Université de Lorraine, CNRS, Institut Jean Lamour, F-54000 Nancy, France

Date & Time: 15:00 - 16:00, April 25th (Fri), 2025.
Place: 2nd Conference Room, Main Bldg., Sengen.

Abstract:

The seminar will focus on deterministic magnetization switching induced by single femtosecond or picosecond laser pulses in spintronic devices, such as spin valves [1-6] and tunnel junctions [7,8]. We have demonstrated ultrafast magnetization reversal (initiating in less than one picosecond) in various ferrimagnetic and ferromagnetic spin-valve structures, for both perpendicularly magnetized and in-plane magnetized configurations. In rare-earth-free archetypal spin valves ([Pt/Co]/Cu/[Co/Pt]), the free layer can be switched in both directions. A discussion will be presented on the underlying mechanisms governing parallel-to-antiparallel and antiparallel-to-parallel switching. Finally we demonstrated that in an IrMn/GdCo bilayer, the sign of the exchange bias can be changed with a single femto-second laser pulse [9].

[1] S. Iihama, et al Adv. Mater. 30, 1804004 (2018).
[2] J. Igarashi, et al Nano Lett. 20, 8654 (2020).
[3] Q. Remy, et al Adv. Sci. 7, 2001996 (2020).
[4] Q. Remy, et al Nature Com 14 445 (2023).
[5] J. Igarashi et al, Nature Mat, 114 36(2023).
[6] J.X Lin et al Phys. Rev. Appl. 22 (4), 044051 (2024).
[7] J.Y. Chen Phys. Rev. Appl 7 021001 (2017).
[8] D. Salomoni Phys. Rev. Appl 20 034070 (2023).
[9] Z. Guo Adv. Mater 36 (21) 2311643 (2024).

(Contact)

Yukiko K. Takahashi, Director of Research Center for Magnetic and Spintronic Materials

E-mail: TAKAHASHI.Yukiko[at]nims.go.jp