Ultrafast magnetization reversal dynamics investigated by time domain imaging

Spatiotemporal magnetization reversal dynamics in a Ni(80)Fe(20) microstructure is studied using ps time scale scanning Kerr microscopy. Time domain images reveal a striking change in the reversal associated with the reduction in switching time when a transverse bias field is applied. Magnetization oscillations subsequent to reversal are observed at two resonance frequencies, which sensitively depend on the bias field strength. The oscillation at f = 2 GHz is caused by the damped precession of M, while the lower frequency approximately 0.8 GHz mode is interpreted in terms of domain wall oscillation.     

Ultrafast magnetization dynamics of Nickel

Received: 28 November 1998 / Revised version: 14 December 1998     

Ultrafast dynamics of photoionized acetylene

Acetylene cations [HCCH](+) produced in the A(2)Σ(g)(+) state by extreme ultraviolet (XUV) photoionization are investigated theoretically, based on a mixed quantum-classical approach. We show that the decay of the A(2)Σ(g)(+) state occurs via both ultrafast isomerization and nonradiative electronic relaxation. We find a time scale for hydrogen migration and electronic decay of about 60 fs, in good agreement with recent XUV-pump/XUV-probe time-resolved experiments on the same system [Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 263002 (2010)]. Moreover, we predict an efficient vibrational energy redistribution mechanism that quickly transfers excess energy from the isomerization coordinates to slower modes in a few hundred femtoseconds, leading to a partial regeneration of acetylenelike conformations.     

Ultrafast field dynamics in large-aperture photoconductors

We investigated field screening mechanisms in large-aperture GaAs photoconductors, using an ultrafast pump-probe terahertz technique. After photoexcitation the bias field decreases to an intensity-dependent value as a result of near-field screening of the bias field. For longer delays the field exhibits an intensity-dependent decrease that results from a space-charge field caused by transport-induced charge separation. These measurements support recent theoretical results that the dominant saturation mechanism that limits terahertz output from large-aperture photoconductors is near-field screening of the bias field because the space-charge field develops on a much longer time scale than that of the terahertz pulse.     

Ultrafast carrier dynamics in ferromagnetic InGaMnAs

We have carried out an ultrafast time-resolved differential reflectivity study of a ferromagnetic semiconductor InGaMnAs and made a systematic comparison with low-temperature grown and high-temperature grown InGaAs reference films. Very short carrier lifetimes (2 ps) were observed in InGaMnAs and the low-temperature grown InGaAs film, but not in the high-temperature grown InGaAs film. We attribute the short lifetimes to carrier trapping by mid-gap states introduced during low-temperature MBE growth. Furthermore, at long times, we observed periodic oscillations in the differential reflectivity signal with period 20 ps, which we interpret as coherent acoustic phonons.     

Ultrafast spin dynamics in multisublattice magnets

We propose a general theoretical framework for ultrafast laser-induced spin dynamics in multisublattice magnets. We distinguish relaxation of relativistic and exchange origin and show that when the former dominates, nonequivalent sublattices have distinct dynamics despite their strong exchange coupling. Even more interesting, in the exchange dominated regime sublattices can show highly counterintuitive transitions between parallel and antiparallel alignment. This allows us to explain recent experiments with antiferromagnetically coupled sublattices, and predict that such transitions are possible with ferromagnetic coupling as well. In addition, we predict that exchange relaxation enhances the demagnetization speed of both sublattices only when they are antiferromagnetically coupled.     

硒化镉载流子的超快动力学研究

硒化镉是一种可用于X射线全光分幅相机和全光条纹相机的重要探测材料。用基于相位物体的泵浦探测方式,研究了硒化镉在1030nm波长,飞秒脉冲下的载流子超快动力学和非线性光学特性。得到了双光子吸收系数、载流子吸收截面、载流子复合时间等参数。实验表明,硒化镉载流子的动力学和非线性特性是由束缚电子和载流子共同决定的。束缚电子的克尔效应和双光子激发都是瞬态的,而载流子复合持续了较长时间。这些参数和载流子图像的的获得,为X射线超快探测器件的设计和改进提供了参考。     

硒化镉载流子的超快动力学研究

硒化镉是一种可用于X射线全光分幅相机和全光条纹相机的重要探测材料。用基于相位物体的泵浦探测方式,研究了硒化镉在1030 nm波长,飞秒脉冲下的载流子超快动力学和非线性光学特性。得到了双光子吸收系数、载流子吸收截面、载流子复合时间等参数。实验表明,硒化镉载流子的动力学和非线性特性是由束缚电子和载流子共同决定的。束缚电子的克尔效应和双光子激发都是瞬态的,而载流子复合持续了较长时间。这些参数和载流子图像的的获得,为X射线超快探测器件的设计和改进提供了参考。     

Ultrafast dynamics of electron thermalization in gold

Time-resolved surface second-harmonic generation (SHG) is used to probe electron relaxation processes in gold following intense laser excitation at 1.55 eV. For the first time, an electron temperature ( T(e)) dependent enhancement in the SHG signal is clearly observed at T(e) above 0.7 eV, which is shown to relate to the thermalization of nonequilibrium hot electrons. Therefore, the relaxation dynamics of the transient nonequilibrium electrons in the high T(e) regime is directly resolved by monitoring the time evolution of the SHG signal.     

Ultrafast structural dynamics of perovskite superlattices

Femtosecond x-ray diffraction provides direct insight into the ultrafast reversible lattice dynamics of materials with a perovskite structure. Superlattice (SL) structures consisting of a sequence of nanometer-thick layer pairs allow for optically inducing a tailored stress profile that drives the lattice motions and for limiting the influence of strain propagation on the observed dynamics. We demonstrate this concept in a series of diffraction experiments with femtosecond time resolution, giving detailed information on the ultrafast lattice dynamics of ferroelectric and ferromagnetic superlattices. Anharmonically coupled lattice motions in a SrRuO₃/PbZr_0.2Ti_0.8O₃ (SRO/PZT) SL lead to a switch-off of the electric polarizations on a time scale of the order of 1 ps. Ultrafast magnetostriction of photoexcited SRO layers is demonstrated in a SRO/SrTiO₃ (STO) SL.     

Ultrafast dynamics of strongly coupled plasmas

The ultrafast dynamics of a strongly coupled plasma following an energy landscape shift is studied theoretically and with simulation. To lowest order in time, the inertial dynamics on the new landscape can be characterized by the plasma microfield, which, for the randomly ordered case of an ultracold neutral plasma, is dominated by nearest neighbor interactions. Formation of the pair correlation function arises after ballistic overshoot, which leads to oscillations in the effective temperature. Warm dense matter systems are also considered in this context.     

Ultrafast carrier dynamics in single-wall carbon nanotubes

Time-resolved carrier dynamics in single-wall carbon nanotubes is investigated by means of two-color pump-probe experiments. The recombination dynamics is monitored by probing the transient photobleaching observed on the interband transitions of the semiconducting tubes. This dynamics takes place on a 1 ps time scale which is 1 order of magnitude slower than in graphite. Transient photoinduced absorption is observed for nonresonant probing and is interpreted as a global redshift of the pi-plasmon resonance. We show that the opening of the band gap in semiconducting carbon nanotubes determines the nonlinear response dynamics over the whole visible and near-infrared spectrum.     

Ultrafast plasmon dynamics in asymmetric gold nanodimers

We theoretically investigate the effect of symmetry breaking on the ultrafast plasmon responses of Au nanodisk (ND) dimers by varying the diameter of one of the constituent nanodisks. In the case of a single ultrafast laser pulse, we demonstrate that the ultrafast responses of Au ND homodimer can be significantly modified due to the effect of symmetry breaking. The symmetric dimer shows a single broad spectral peak, whereas the size-asymmetric dimer shows three spectral peaks. The first system displays at most one temporal maximum and no beats in ultrafast temporal, whereas the second system may have three temporal maxima and two beats due to a combination of broken symmetry and the coherent superposition between various plasmon modes induced by the ultra-short laser pulse. Moreover, the shape of temporal dynamics of the size-asymmetric dimer is significantly deformed due to the excitation of local plasmon modes with different wavelength components. Furthermore, the decay time of the amplitude of the local field is longer and oscillates with a high frequency due to the narrower linewidth and red-shifted spectral peaks. We show that the ultrafast plasmon responses of both dimers can be controlled by varying the relative phase and time delays between a pair of two pulses. Our results will open new paths to understanding ultrafast plasmon responses in asymmetric heterodimers with suitable properties for different applications.     

基于可调谐Fano干涉的超快全光开关

简要介绍了量子相干和干涉效应的研究动态和一项最新理论研究进展.设计了一个存在Fano类型隧穿感应量子干涉的GaAs/AlxGa1-xAs非对称量子阱结构.在该量子阱中,可通过一束控制光抑制量子干涉,进而调制信号光的传播特性.这一现象可用来实现一个宽带超快全光开关.     

Ultrafast all optical switching via tunable Fano interference

Tunneling induced quantum interference experienced by an incident probe in asymmetric double quantum wells can easily be modulated by means of an external control light beam. This phenomenon, which is here examined within the dressed-state picture, can be exploited to devise a novel all-optical ultrafast switch. For a suitably designed semiconductor heterostructure, the switch is found to exhibit frequency bandwidths of the order of 0.1 THz and response and recovery times of about 1 ps.     

基于可调谐Fano干涉的超快全光开关

简要介绍了量子相干和干涉效应的研究动态和一项最新理论研究进展.设计了一个存在Fano类型隧穿感应量子干涉的GaAs/A lxGa1-xAs非对称量子阱结构.在该量子阱中,可通过一束控制光抑制量子干涉,进而调制信号光的传播特性.这一现象可用来实现一个宽带超快全光开关.     

Ultrafast Coulomb explosion imaging of molecules

Multiple ionization of small molecules leads to multifragmentation called Coulomb explosion. The atomic positions prior to the fragmentation event are determined from the multicharged fragments trajectories. Following the pioneering contribution of Prof. N.B. Delone on atomic ionization using strong laser fields, intense femtosecond laser pulses in the 10¹⁵ W cm^?2 range permit an efficient removal of valence electrons. Pulse durations have to be reduced to a few cycles in order to avoid any significant molecular stretching during multiple ionization. Pumpprobe excitation schemes offer promising perspectives for straightforward ultrafast Coulomb explosion imaging of excited and ionized molecular species.