Laser-Induced Fast Magnetization Precession and Gilbert Damping for CoCrPt Alloy Thin Films with Perpendicular Magnetic Anisotropy

We have investigated magnetic field strength (up to 10 kOe) and angle dependences of spin dynamics in 4-nm-thick films of CoCrPt alloys with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy using the all-optical time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect (TRMOKE). The comprehensive TRMOKE measurements have indicated the Gilbert damping constant alpha of 0.05 for the alloy film with low coercivity. The experiments also indicated that alpha values for the alloy films deposited at higher temperatures with higher coercivities were also no greater than 0.06. (C) 2010 The Japan Society of Applied Physics