Optically induced spin-dependent diffusive transport in the presence of spin-orbit interaction for all-optical magnetization reversal

TL;DR

This paper models how different spin-orbit interactions enable ultra-fast all-optical magnetization reversal in thin films by generating spin currents and torques through laser-induced charge and spin transport mechanisms.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive numerical model combining various spin-orbit interactions to demonstrate the feasibility of all-optical magnetization reversal.

Findings

Strong spin-orbit interactions can induce magnetization reversal with laser pulses.

Transient charge currents generate spin currents and torques.

Model suggests pathways for optimizing magnetic structures for faster switching.

Abstract

We have considered the effect of different spin-orbit interaction mechanisms on the process of demagnetization under the influence of short-pulse lasers. All-optical magnetization reversal of perpendicularly magnetized thin films can occur if there are sufficient strong spin-Hall, skew scattering, and Rashba interactions. In the presence of spin-orbit interactions, the transient charge currents provide the generation of transverse-spin currents and accumulations, which eventually exert spin-transfer torque on the magnetization. By combining the optically excited spin-dependent diffusive transport with the spin and charge currents due to skew scattering, spin-Hall, inverse spin-Hall and Rashba interactions, into a numerical model, we demonstrate a possibility of ultra-fast all-optical magnetization reversal. This understanding provokes intriguing, more in-depth experimental studies on the role of spin-orbit interaction mechanisms in optimizing structures for all-optical magnetization reversal.