Effect of intense x-ray free-electron laser transient gratings on the magnetic domain structure of Tm:YIG

Magnetic patterns can be controlled globally using fields or spin polarized currents. In contrast, the local control of the magnetization on the nanometer length scale remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate how magnetic domain patterns in a Tm-doped yttrium iron garnet (Tm:YIG) thin film with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy can be permanently and locally imprinted by high intensity photon pulses of a hard x-ray transient grating (XTG). Micromagnetic simulations provide a qualitative understanding of the observed changes in the orientation of magnetic domains in Tm:YIG and XTG-induced changes. The presented results offer a route for the local manipulation of the magnetic state using hard XTG. (c) 2023 Author(s). All article content, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0119241

Automated summary

Magnetic domain patterns in Tm-doped yttrium iron garnet (Tm:YIG) thin film can be locally imprinted by high intensity photon pulses of a hard x-ray transient grating (XTG). Micromagnetic simulations provide an understanding of the observed changes in magnetic domains orientation in Tm:YIG and XTG-induced changes. These results offer a route for the local manipulation of the magnetic state using hard XTG.