Magnetization dynamics in the density matrix formalism

TL;DR

This paper formulates magnetization dynamics using the density matrix formalism, extending the analogy with two-level systems to include AC fields and pulses, providing new insights into magnetization reversal mechanisms.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analogy between magnetization dynamics and two-level systems, incorporating AC excitations to explain magnetization reversal phenomena.

Findings

AC fields and pulses act as interaction terms in the TLS analogy.

Short magnetic pulses can reverse magnetization states.

Circularly polarized pulses relate to carrier injection rates in the model.

Abstract

Magnetization dynamics described by the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert-Slonczewski (LLGS) equation can be formulated to have the form of the well-known two-level-system (TLS) equations. Recently, we showed that a DC spin-transfer torque (STT) term in the LLGS equation can be mapped to a modulation of the carrier relaxation rates in the analogous TLS equations. Here, we extend the analogy to the TLS dynamics by including the AC magnetic field, AC demagnetization field, and AC STT excitation that we show constitute the interaction term in the analogous TLS picture. Interestingly, we find that the carrier injection rate in the TLS equations that is responsible for transitions between the excited and ground states of the system naturally translates to an intense short magnetic pulse that reverses the magnetization state. Furthermore, we also show that the two helicities of circularly polarized magnetic pulses correspond to the two carrier injection rates in the analogous TLS picture. In the context of the highly debated all-optical helicity dependent switching experiment, it offers a new explanation of the magnetization reversal from first principles.