Ultrafast Structural Dynamics along the β − γ Phase Transition Path in MnAs

International audienceWe investigate the orthorhombic distortion and the structural dynamics of epitaxial MnAs layers on GaAs(001) using static and time-resolved x-ray diffraction. Laser-induced intensity oscillations of Bragg reflections allow us to identify the optical phonon associated with orthorhombic distortion and to follow its softening along the path towards an undistorted phase of hexagonal symmetry. The frequency of this mode falls in the THz range, in agreement with recent calculations. Incomplete softening suggests that the $\beta-\gamma$ transformation deviates from a purely second-order displacive transition

Widely tunable two-colour seeded free-electron laser source for resonant-pump resonant-probe magnetic scattering

International audienceThe advent of free-electron laser (FEL) sources delivering two synchronized pulses of different wavelengths (or colours) has made available a whole range of novel pump–probe experiments. This communication describes a major step forward using a new configuration of the FERMI FEL-seeded source to deliver two pulses with different wavelengths, each tunable independently over a broad spectral range with adjustable time delay. The FEL scheme makes use of two seed laser beams of different wavelengths and of a split radiator section to generate two extreme ultraviolet pulses from distinct portions of the same electron bunch. The tunability range of this new two-colour source meets the requirements of double-resonant FEL pump/FEL probe time-resolved studies. We demonstrate its performance in a proof-of-principle magnetic scattering experiment in Fe–Ni compounds, by tuning the FEL wavelengths to the Fe and Ni 3p resonances

Temperature and field dependent magnetization in a sub-μm patterned Co/FeRh film studied by resonant x-ray scattering

We studied the temperature and field dependence of the magnetization in a Co/FeRh/MgO(001) film patterned into a matrix of sub-mu m sized rectangles, using element selective resonant scattering of polarized soft x-rays. We show that it is possible to reverse partially the magnetization of the Co layer in a thermal cycle that crosses the FeRh antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic transition. Our results support interest in patterned Co/FeRh films and their potential for achieving temperature induced magnetization switching

Dynamics of Laser-Induced Magnetostructural Phase Transitions in MnAs/GaAs (001) Epitaxial Layers

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Element Selective Probe of the Ultra-Fast Magnetic Response to an Element Selective Excitation in Fe-Ni Compounds Using a Two-Color FEL Source

International audienceThe potential of the two-color mode implemented at the FERMI free-electron laser (FEL) source for pumping and probing selectively different atomic species has been demonstrated by time-resolved scattering experiments with permalloy (FeNi alloy) and NiFe$_2$O$_4$ samples. We monitored the ultra-fast demagnetization of Ni induced by the pump FEL pulse, by tuning the linearly-polarized FEL probe pulse to the Ni-3p resonance and measuring the scattered intensity in the transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect geometry. The measurements were performed by varying the intensity of the FEL pump pulse, tuning its wavelength to and off of the Fe-3p resonance, and by spanning the FEL probe pulse delays across the 300–900 fs range. The obtained results have evidenced that for the case of NiFe$_2$O$_4$, there is a sensible difference in the magnetic response at the Ni site when the pump pulse causes electronic excitations at the Fe site