Magnetization reversal using circularly polarized light provides a new way to control magnetization without any external magnetic field and has the potential to revolutionize magnetic data storage. However, in order to reach ultra-high density data storage, high anisotropy media providing thermal stability are needed. Here, we evidence all-optical magnetization switching for different TbxCo1-x ferrimagnetic alloy composition and demonstrate all-optical switching for films with anisotropy fields reaching 6 T corresponding to anisotropy constants of 3x106 ergs/cm3. Optical magnetization switching is observed only for alloys which compensation temperature can be reached through sample heating.
@article{arxiv.1206.6978,
title = {Light-induced magnetization reversal of high-anisotropy TbCo alloy films},
author = {Sabine Alebrand and Matthias Gottwald and Michel Hehn and Daniel Steil and Mirko Cinchetti and Daniel Lacour and Eric E. Fullerton and Martin Aeschlimann and Stéphane Mangin},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1206.6978},
year = {2015}
}