Spatiotemporal observation of surface plasmon polariton mediated ultrafast demagnetization

Abstract Surface plasmons offer a promising avenue in the pursuit of swift and localized manipulation of magnetism for advanced magnetic storage and information processing technology. However, observing and understanding spatiotemporal interactions between surface plasmons and spins remains challeng...

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Main Authors: Yuzhu Fan, Gaolong Cao, Sheng Jiang, Johan Åkerman, Jonas Weissenrieder
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-01-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56158-5
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author Yuzhu Fan
Gaolong Cao
Sheng Jiang
Johan Åkerman
Jonas Weissenrieder
author_facet Yuzhu Fan
Gaolong Cao
Sheng Jiang
Johan Åkerman
Jonas Weissenrieder
author_sort Yuzhu Fan
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Surface plasmons offer a promising avenue in the pursuit of swift and localized manipulation of magnetism for advanced magnetic storage and information processing technology. However, observing and understanding spatiotemporal interactions between surface plasmons and spins remains challenging, hindering optimal optical control of magnetism. Here, we demonstrate the spatiotemporal observation of patterned ultrafast demagnetization dynamics in permalloy mediated by propagating surface plasmon polaritons with sub-picosecond time- and sub-μm spatial- scales by employing Lorentz ultrafast electron microscopy combined with excitation through transient optical gratings. We discover correlated spatial distributions of demagnetization amplitude and surface plasmon polariton intensity, the latter characterized by photo-induced near-field electron microscopy. Furthermore, by comparing the results with patterned ultrafast demagnetization dynamics without surface plasmon polariton interaction, we show that the demagnetization is not only enhanced but also exhibits a spatiotemporal modulation near a spatial discontinuity (plasmonic hot spot). Our findings shed light on the intricate interplay between surface plasmons and spins, offer insights into the optimized control of optical excitation of magnetic materials and push the boundaries of ultrafast manipulation of magnetism.
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spelling doaj-art-e67e0163b6764c068d3115e1c4512cef2025-01-26T12:42:34ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-01-011611910.1038/s41467-025-56158-5Spatiotemporal observation of surface plasmon polariton mediated ultrafast demagnetizationYuzhu Fan0Gaolong Cao1Sheng Jiang2Johan Åkerman3Jonas Weissenrieder4School of Engineering Sciences, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Applied Physics, AlbaNovaSchool of Engineering Sciences, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Applied Physics, AlbaNovaSchool of Microelectronics, South China University of TechnologyDepartment of Physics, University of GothenburgSchool of Engineering Sciences, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Applied Physics, AlbaNovaAbstract Surface plasmons offer a promising avenue in the pursuit of swift and localized manipulation of magnetism for advanced magnetic storage and information processing technology. However, observing and understanding spatiotemporal interactions between surface plasmons and spins remains challenging, hindering optimal optical control of magnetism. Here, we demonstrate the spatiotemporal observation of patterned ultrafast demagnetization dynamics in permalloy mediated by propagating surface plasmon polaritons with sub-picosecond time- and sub-μm spatial- scales by employing Lorentz ultrafast electron microscopy combined with excitation through transient optical gratings. We discover correlated spatial distributions of demagnetization amplitude and surface plasmon polariton intensity, the latter characterized by photo-induced near-field electron microscopy. Furthermore, by comparing the results with patterned ultrafast demagnetization dynamics without surface plasmon polariton interaction, we show that the demagnetization is not only enhanced but also exhibits a spatiotemporal modulation near a spatial discontinuity (plasmonic hot spot). Our findings shed light on the intricate interplay between surface plasmons and spins, offer insights into the optimized control of optical excitation of magnetic materials and push the boundaries of ultrafast manipulation of magnetism.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56158-5
spellingShingle Yuzhu Fan
Gaolong Cao
Sheng Jiang
Johan Åkerman
Jonas Weissenrieder
Spatiotemporal observation of surface plasmon polariton mediated ultrafast demagnetization
Nature Communications
title Spatiotemporal observation of surface plasmon polariton mediated ultrafast demagnetization
title_full Spatiotemporal observation of surface plasmon polariton mediated ultrafast demagnetization
title_fullStr Spatiotemporal observation of surface plasmon polariton mediated ultrafast demagnetization
title_full_unstemmed Spatiotemporal observation of surface plasmon polariton mediated ultrafast demagnetization
title_short Spatiotemporal observation of surface plasmon polariton mediated ultrafast demagnetization
title_sort spatiotemporal observation of surface plasmon polariton mediated ultrafast demagnetization
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56158-5
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AT gaolongcao spatiotemporalobservationofsurfaceplasmonpolaritonmediatedultrafastdemagnetization
AT shengjiang spatiotemporalobservationofsurfaceplasmonpolaritonmediatedultrafastdemagnetization
AT johanakerman spatiotemporalobservationofsurfaceplasmonpolaritonmediatedultrafastdemagnetization
AT jonasweissenrieder spatiotemporalobservationofsurfaceplasmonpolaritonmediatedultrafastdemagnetization