Ultrafast demagnetization of Pt magnetic moment in L1${}_0$-FePt probed by hard x-ray free electron laser

Abstract

We demonstrate ultrafast magnetization dynamics in a 5d transition metal using circularly-polarized x-ray free electron laser in the hard x-ray region. A decay time of light-induced demagnetization of L1${}_0$-FePt was determined to be $\tau_\textrm{Pt} = 0.6\ \textrm{ps}$ using time-resolved x-ray magnetic circular dichroism at the Pt L${}_3$ edge, whereas magneto-optical Kerr measurements indicated the decay time for total magnetization as $\tau_\textrm{total} = 0.1\ \textrm{ps}$. A transient magnetic state with the photo-modulated magnetic coupling between the 3d and 5d elements is firstly demonstrated.