Optical control of magnetization using femtosecond laser without applying any external
magnetic field offers the advantage of switching magnetic states at ultrashort time scales.
Recently, all-optical helicity-dependent switching (AO-HDS) has drawn a significant
attention for potential information and data storage device applications. In this work, we
employ element and magnetization sensitive photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM) to
investigate the role of heating in AO-HDS for thin films of the rare-earth transition-metal alloy …

High storage density magnetic devices rely on the precise, reliable and ultrafast switching
times of the magnetic states. Optical control of magnetization using femtosecond laser
without applying any external magnetic field offers the advantage of switching magnetic
states at ultrashort time scales, which has attracted a significant attention. Recently, it has
been reported and demonstrated the, so-called, all-optical helicity-dependent switching (AO-
HDS) in which a circularly polarized femtosecond laser pulse switches the magnetization of …