THz Switching of Antiferromagnets and Ferrimagnets

Abstract

Using analytical calculations as well as computer simulations, we show that antiferromagnets can be switched on a time scale of picoseconds using THz laser pulses only. This all-optically triggered switching mechanism rests on the coordinated dynamics of the two interacting sublattices with an inertial character. We calculate the resonance frequencies in the nonlinear regime, the orbits, and estimate the field strength required for switching analytically. Furthermore, we demonstrate that ferrimagnets can be switched similarly at their compensation point.