Element specific investigations of ultrafast magnetisation dynamics

Dynamics at ps and shorter timescales are among the most exciting areas of research.

This proposal aims to investigate dynamic properties in magnetic materials that are relevant for many applications of modern magnetism. Synchrotrons have been at the forefront of such studies on the sub-ns level.

By combining X-ray magnetic circular dichroism with ferromagnetic resonance we can disentangle the dynamics of complex magnetic materials. However, novel schemes have been adapted to provide higher time resolution to study ultrafast magnetization dynamics.

This proposal will make use of the recent development in advancements of laser-based overtone sources in the extreme ultraviolet– soft x-ray regime and x-ray free electron lasers to investigate sub-ps ultrafast dynamics in magnetic systems.

Our goal is to resolve some of the outstanding controversies in the description of recent experimental findings and arrive at deep understanding of the ultrafast processes following an intense ultra-short excitation.

In a joint experimental and theoretical effort, we will attempt to tune the electronic structure and physical properties of the electronic system e.g. in magnetic material, using intense short laser pulses, probed with femtosecond precision.

The project is aiming to not only study the magnetic dynamics following the laser excitation, but also explore new non-equilibrium electronic phenomena in an attempt to establish new physical states in the short-lived excited state.