Ultrafast spin dynamics of ferromagnetic thin films observed by fs spin-resolved two-photon photoemission

Using a "pump and probe" technique, the time scale of spin relaxation effects in ferromagnetic thin films is investigated. Samples are excited by a 3 eV "pump" laser pulse (tau approximate to 170 fs), and electrons are photoemitted by a 6 eV "probe" pulse, after delays ranging up to 1 ns. The spin polarization of the photoelectrons is measured using a Matt detector. The time dependence of the spin polarization of thin Ni films on Ag is explained in a local magnetic moment picture with two excitation processes. Stoner excitations are responsible for the reduction of the observed spin polarization on a time scale of 1 ps and phonon-magnon scattering leads to the loss of long range magnetic order on a time scale of 500 ps.