Invited Paper SA+MI-ThM3
Non-equilibrium Control of Charge & Spin Motion in Quantum Materials

Thursday, October 25, 2018, 8:40 am, Room 202A

A key driver of modern information technology is the quest for “smaller and faster” information processing and storage. The ultimate speed limit is the speed of light. Therefore, the idea to probe, change and control properties of materials with the help of light has long intrigued researchers in materials science. Of particular interest are magnetic materials which in nanostructured form are used for data storage, memory and processing. In this talk I will show several examples the unique potential of using femtosecond soft x-ray pulses from x-ray free electron lasers such as the LCLS to probe in real time ultrafast spin dynamics in nanoscale systems and during all-optical magnetic switching. Understanding and ultimately engineering the evolving electron, spin and lattice motion on the time- and lengthscales associated with the relevant interactions promises new ways for storing and processing of information.