Modeling of ultrafast X-ray induced magnetization dynamics in magnetic multilayer systems

Abstract

In this work, we report on modelling results obtained with our recently developed simulation tool enabling nanoscopic description of electronic processes in X-ray irradiated ferromagnetic materials. With this tool, we have studied the response of Co/Pt multilayer system irradiated by an ultrafast extreme ultraviolet pulse at the M-edge of Co (photon energy $\sim$ 60 eV). It was previously investigated experimentally at the FERMI free-electron-laser facility, using the magnetic small-angle X-ray scattering technique. Our simulations show that the magnetic scattering signal from cobalt decreases on femtosecond timescales due to electronic excitation, relaxation and transport processes both in the cobalt and in the platinum layers, following the trend observed in the experimental data. The confirmation of the predominant role of electronic processes for X-ray induced demagnetization in the regime below the structural damage threshold is a step towards quantitative control and manipulation of X-ray induced magnetic processes on femtosecond timescales.

arXiv comment18 pages, 7 figures; minor changes. This is the author created version of an article accepted for publication in npj Computational Materials journal. The article has been published on a gold open access basis under a CC BY 4.0 licence

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Cited by in corpus (4)

• Ab initio investigation of laser-induced ultrafast demagnetization of L1${}_0$ FePt: Intensity dependence and importance of electron coherence
• Electronic processes occurring during ultrafast demagnetization of cobalt triggered by X-ray photons tuned to Co L${}_3$ resonance
• Ultrafast demagnetization in bulk nickel induced by X-ray photons tuned to Ni $M_3$ and $L_3$ absorption edges
• Electronic mechanism of sub-100-fs demagnetization induced by a femtosecond light pulse