Where does the spin angular momentum go in laser induced demagnetisation?

Abstract

The dynamics of ultrafast demagnetisation in 3$d$ magnets is complicated by the presence of both spin ${\v S}$ and orbital ${\v L}$ angular momentum, with the microscopic mechanism by which the magnetic moment is redistributed to the lattice, and at what time scales, yet to be resolved. Employing state-of-the-art time dependent density function theory we disentangle the dynamics of these two momenta. Utilising ultra short (5~fs) pulses that separate spin-orbit (SO) and direct optical excitation time scales, we demonstrate a two-step microscopic mechanism: (i) an initial loss of ${\v L}$ due to laser excitation, followed post pulse by (ii) an increase of ${\v L}$ as ${\v S}$ transfers to ${\v L}$ during subsequent ($> 15$~fs) SO induced spin-flip demagnetisation. We also show that to see an unambiguous transfer of ${\v S}$ to ${\v L}$ a short pulse is required.