Probing ultrafast spin dynamics with high-harmonic magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy

Abstract

Magnetic circular dichroism in the extreme ultraviolet (XUV) spectral range is a powerful technique for element-specific probing of magnetization in multicomponent magnetic alloys and multilayers. We combine a high-harmonic generation source with a $\ensuremath{\lambda}/4$ phase shifter to obtain circularly polarized XUV femtosecond pulses for ultrafast magnetization studies. We report on simultaneously measured resonant magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) of Co and Ni at their respective ${M}_{2,3}$ edges and of Pt at its O edge, originating from interface magnetism. We present a time-resolved MCD absorption measurement of a thin magnetic Pt/Co/Pt film, showing simultaneous demagnetization of Co and Pt on a femtosecond time scale.