We experimentally study magnetization dynamics in magnetic tunnel junctions driven by femtosecond-laser-induced surface acoustic waves. The acoustic pulses induce a magnetization precession in the free layer of the magnetic tunnel junction through magnetoelastic coupling. The frequency and amplitude of the precession show a pronounced dependence on the applied magnetic field and the laser excitation position. Comparing the acoustic-wave-induced precession frequencies with precession induced by charge currents and with micromagnetic simulations, we identify spatially non-uniform magnetization modes localized close to the edge regions as being responsible for the optically induced magnetization dynamics. The experimental scheme even allows us to coherently control the magnetization precession using two acoustic pulses. This might prove important for future applications requiring ultrafast spin manipulation. Additionally, our results directly pinpoint the importance of acoustic pulses since they could be relevant when investigating optically induced temperature effects in magnetic structures.
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13 August 2018
Research Article|
August 13 2018
Excitation and coherent control of magnetization dynamics in magnetic tunnel junctions using acoustic pulses
H. F. Yang;
H. F. Yang
1
Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
, Bundesallee 100, D-38116 Braunschweig, Germany
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F. Garcia-Sanchez;
F. Garcia-Sanchez
1
Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
, Bundesallee 100, D-38116 Braunschweig, Germany
2
Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica
, Strada delle Cacce 91, 10135 Torino, Italy
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X. K. Hu;
X. K. Hu
1
Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
, Bundesallee 100, D-38116 Braunschweig, Germany
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S. Sievers;
S. Sievers
1
Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
, Bundesallee 100, D-38116 Braunschweig, Germany
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T. Böhnert;
T. Böhnert
3
International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory
, Av. Mestre José Veiga, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal
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J. D. Costa;
J. D. Costa
a)
3
International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory
, Av. Mestre José Veiga, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal
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M. Tarequzzaman
;
M. Tarequzzaman
3
International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory
, Av. Mestre José Veiga, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal
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R. Ferreira;
R. Ferreira
3
International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory
, Av. Mestre José Veiga, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal
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M. Bieler
;
M. Bieler
b)
1
Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
, Bundesallee 100, D-38116 Braunschweig, Germany
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H. W. Schumacher
H. W. Schumacher
1
Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
, Bundesallee 100, D-38116 Braunschweig, Germany
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a)
Present address: IMEC, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
b)
Electronic mail: mark.bieler@ptb.de
Appl. Phys. Lett. 113, 072403 (2018)
Article history
Received:
April 27 2018
Accepted:
July 25 2018
Citation
H. F. Yang, F. Garcia-Sanchez, X. K. Hu, S. Sievers, T. Böhnert, J. D. Costa, M. Tarequzzaman, R. Ferreira, M. Bieler, H. W. Schumacher; Excitation and coherent control of magnetization dynamics in magnetic tunnel junctions using acoustic pulses. Appl. Phys. Lett. 13 August 2018; 113 (7): 072403. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5037780
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