Single-shot all-optical switching of magnetization in TbFe

Abstract

Thermally induced magnetization switching (TIMS) relying solely on a single laser without any applied magnetic field is a key research direction of current spintronics. Most studies on TbFe so far have focused on helicity-dependent all-optical switching (HD-AOS). In this work, we observe the TIMS on TbFe alloys excited by atomic spin dynamics simulations combined with a two-temperature model. The results show that the magnetization switching of TbFe can be found under certain damping conditions. In addition, we further investigated the reasons why energy density leads to the opposite switching time behavior of Tb and Fe, and our research results also found that changes in damping can affect the concentration and energy density range of the switching, as well as the maximum pulse duration. The dynamic behavior indicates that TbFe switching in 2 ps or less. Our findings widen the basis for fast optical switching of magnetization and break new ground for engineered materials that can be used for nonvolatile ultrafast switching using ultrashort pulses of light.