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Torsten Kachel

Publications and source records attributed to Torsten Kachel.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

Laser induced ultrafast Co 3d and Ho 4f spin dynamics in CoHo ferrimagnetic alloys

The transition metal (TM) / rare-earth (RE) alloys have received renewed interest lately as model systems to decipher the origin of all-optical helicity-independent switching (AO-HIS) by femtosecond laser pulses. Recently, a distinct single-pulse magnetization reversal mechanism, based on domain-wall motion and coalescence, has been reported in CoDy and CoHo alloys, as well as in Co/Gd ultrathin bilayers. It has been claimed that this specific toggle switching is achieved when the Co sublattice is fully demagnetized and the characteristic demagnetization times τRE of the RE (Gd, Dy or Ho) sublattices is longer than that of the Co and the angular momentum transferred to Co is reduced. Element- and time-resolved X-ray spectroscopy studies of CoDy alloys have reported characteristic demagnetization times of τCo = 0.2 ps and τDy = 0.6 ps at room temperature. Similarly, Ho is expected to exhibit a slower response, but its ultrafast 4f spin dynamics remain experimentally unexplored. Here, we report on element- and time-resolved investigations of femtosecond laser induced ultrafast dynamics of the Co 3d and Ho 4f spins in ferrimagnetic Co_{80}Ho_{20} alloys to verify this prediction. We observed characteristic demagnetization times τCo = 0.22 +/- 0.01 ps and τHo = 0.87 +/- 0.15 ps at room temperature. These results show that Ho demagnetizes substantially more slowly than Co in Co_{80}Ho_{20}, supporting the proposed condition for domain-wall-mediated all-optical toggle switching

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗
arXiv2021

Direct imaging of chiral domain walls and Néel-type skyrmionium in ferrimagnetic alloys

The evolution of chiral spin structures is studied in ferrimagnet Ta/Ir/Fe/GdFeCo/Pt multilayers as a function of temperature using scanning electron microscopy with polarization analysis (SEMPA). The GdFeCo ferrimagnet exhibits pure right-hand Néel-type domain wall (DW) spin textures over a large temperature range. This indicates the presence of a negative Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) that can originate from both the top Fe/Pt and the Co/Pt interfaces. From measurements of the DW width, as well as complementary magnetic characterization, the exchange stiffness as a function of temperature is ascertained. The exchange stiffness is surprisingly mostly constant, which is explained by theoretical predictions. Beyond single skyrmions, we find by direct imaging a pure Néel-type skyrmionium, which due to the absence of a skyrmion Hall angle is a promising topological spin structure to enable high impact potential applications in the next generation of spintronic devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗
arXiv2014

Non-linear spin-wave excitation at low bias fields

Non-linear magnetization dynamics is essential for the operation of many spintronics devices. For microwave assisted switching of magnetic elements the low field regime is of particular interest. In addition a large number of experiments uses high amplitude FMR in order to generate d.c. currents via spin pumping mechanism. Here we use time resolved X-ray magnetic circular dichroism experiments to determine the number density of excited magnons in magnetically soft Ni_80Fe_20 thin films at small bias fields and large rf-excitation amplitudes. Our data shows that the common model of non-linear ferromagnetic resonance is not suitable to describe the low bias field limit. Here we derive a new model of parametric spin-wave excitation which correctly predicts threshold amplitudes and decay rates also at low bias fields. In fact a new series of critical modes with amplitude phase oscillations is found, generalizing the theory of parametric spin-wave excitation.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗
arXiv2011

Hot electron driven enhancement of spin-lattice coupling in 4f ferromagnets observed by femtosecond x-ray magnetic circular dichroism

Femtosecond x-ray magnetic circular dichroism was used to study the time-dependent magnetic moment of 4 fs electrons in the ferromagnets Gd and Tb, which are known for their different spin-lattice coupling. We observe a two-step demagnetization with an ultrafast demagnetization time of 750 fs identical for both systems and slower times which differ sizeably with 40 ps for Gd and 8 ps for Tb. We conclude that spin-lattice coupling in the electronically excited state is enhanced up to orders of magnitude compared to equilibrium.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗