Ultrafast Laser Study and Modification of Anisotropy in Ferromagnetic Thin Films

1. Ultrafast Laser Study and Modification of Anisotropy in Ferromagnetic Thin Films Anne Reilly & Gunter Lüpke, College of William and Mary Rosa Lukaszew, University of ToledoDMR-0605661 Designing magnetic materials with high anisotropy for ultrafast switching This collaborative work involves the growth and study of designed materials with high magnetic anisotropy (critical for data storage applications). Ultrafast laser studies, which can measure magnetization dynamics on a real time scale, are used to measure anisotropy constants of the designed materials. The permanent modification of anisotropy via ultrafast laser pulses is also being explored. Ultrafast magnetization oscillations induced by ultrafast changes in magnetic anisotropy (left) of an IrMn/Co thin film. The permanent changes are evidenced by a shift in the originally centered hysteresis loop (right).

2. Ultrafast Laser Study and Modification of Anisotropy in Ferromagnetic Thin Films Anne Reilly & Gunter Lüpke, College of William and Mary Rosa Lukaszew, University of ToledoDMR-0605661 Societal Impact: Answering questions on how fast magnetism can be manipulated and studied will have great impact on magnetic sensor design and computer technology. Education: Two graduate students, one at William and Mary and one at Toledo, are receiving training in magnetic material growth and characterization and ultrafast laser techniques. The groups have also had a history of significant undergraduate involvement in research. Two students adjust the laser experiment at William and Mary