Ultrafast selective mid-infrared sublattice manipulation in the ferrimagnet $FeC{r}_2{S}_4$

Abstract

$FeC{r}_2{S}_4$ is a ferrimagnet with two oppositely ordered spin sublattices (Fe and Cr), connected via superexchange interaction, giving a non-zero net magnetic moment. We show, using time-resolved measurements of the magneto-optic Kerr effect, how the magnetic dynamics of the sublattices can be selectively manipulated by resonantly perturbing the Fe sublattice with ultrashort laser pulses. The mid-infrared excitation through intra-atomic Fe $d$-$d$ transitions triggers markedly slower dynamics in comparison to an off-resonant pumping affecting both of the two sublattices simultaneously. By changing probe wavelength to move in and out of resonance with the Fe $d$-$d$ transitions, we also show the specific contributions of the Fe sublattice to these dynamics.

25 pages, 17 figures

References in corpus (3)

• Ultrafast photo-magnetic recording in transparent medium
• Strong magneto-optical effects in ACr2O4 A=Fe, Co spinel oxides generated by tetrahedrally coordinated transition metal ions
• Resolving structural changes and symmetry lowering in spinel FeCr2S4