Monte Carlo simulation of ultrafast nonequilibrium spin and charge transport in iron

Abstract

Spin transport and spin dynamics after femtosecond laser pulse irradiation of iron (Fe) are studied using a kinetic Monte Carlo model. This model simulates spin dependent dynamics by taking into account two interaction processes during nonequilibrium: Elastic electron - lattice scattering, where only the direction of the excited electrons changes neglecting the energy loss, and inelastic electron - electron interaction, where secondary electrons are generated. An analysis of the particle kinetics inside the material shows that a smaller elastic scattering time affects the spin dynamics by leading to a larger spatial spread of electrons in the material, whereas generation of secondary electrons affects the spin transport with a larger time of propagation of homogeneous spin polarization.