Invited Paper LS+AC+HC+SS-ThA10
Ultrafast Magnetization Dynamics on the Nanoscale

Thursday, October 24, 2019, 5:20 pm, Room A210

Nanometer-scale spin configurations are attractive as information entities for spintronic applications to realize nonvolatile and energy-efficient data storage and processing. In recent years, this research field was stimulated by the discovery that the spin can be effectively manipulated using ultra-short light pulses exciting suitably designed magnetic materials. Scattering and imaging methods based on sources delivering ultra-short x-ray pulses are particularly successful in revealing the magnetization dynamics on the relevant time and length scales. I will present research results on optically induced demagnetization and formation of nanoscale magnetic domains and skyrmions in Co-based multilayer systems. We investigate these processes using small-angle scattering signals or direct imaging via holography with femtosecond x-ray pulses delivered by free-electron laser sources. These methods additionally allow to address the influence of lateral nanoscale inhomogeneity and to work with laterally localized or structured excitation.