Electrical detection and current control of all-optical magnetization switching in GdFeCo ferrimagnetic alloy thin film

Abstract

Abstract We experimentally demonstrated electrical detection of all-optical magnetization switching (AOS) induced by a single femtosecond laser pulse irradiation by measuring alternate rapid changes in anomalous Hall voltage and magneto-optic image pulse by pulse in a Hall-cross shape ferrimagnetic GdFeCo alloy thin film. We also demonstrated that the amplitude of the change in anomalous Hall voltage depended on the position of the AOS-created magnetic domain on the Hall cross. Furthermore, the AOS-created magnetic domains were stable against subsequent current applications in the Hall cross circuit, whereas reversed magnetic domains were not created when the laser pulse was irradiated with a high current. We found that the cooperative effect among magnetism, light, and electric current was assumed to have effects on the absence of the AOS. Combining the AOS phenomenon and electrical measurement/control techniques can realize ultrafast, deterministic, and distinguishable applications.