Anisotropic ultrafast spin dynamics in epitaxial cobalt

• We investigate the ultrafast spin dynamics in an epitaxial hcp(11⎯⎯00) cobalt thin film. By performing pump-probe magneto-optical measurements with the magnetization along either the easy or hard magnetic axis, we determine the demagnetization and recovery time for the two axes. We observe an average of 33% slower dynamics along the easy magnetization axis, which we attribute to magneto-crystalline anisotropy of the electron-phonon coupling, supported by our ab initio calculations. This points toward an unambiguous and previously undisclosed role of anisotropic electron–lattice coupling in ultrafast magnetism.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Den kondenserade materiens fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Condensed Matter Physics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Anisotropy

ultrafast

epitaxial cobalt

electron-phonon coupling

demagnetization

spin dynamics

fysik

Physics

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