Deterministic character of all-optical magnetization switching in GdFe-based ferrimagnetic alloys

Using photoemission electron microscopy with x-ray magnetic circular dichroism as a contrast mechanism, new insights into the all-optical magnetization switching (AOS) phenomenon in GdFe-based rare-earth transition-metal ferrimagnetic alloys are provided. From a sequence of static images taken after single linearly polarized laser pulse excitation, the repeatability of AOS can be quantified with a correlation coefficient. It is found that low coercivity enables thermally activated domain-wall motion, limiting in turn the repeatability of the switching. Time-resolved measurements of the magnetization dynamics reveal that while AOS occurs below and above the magnetization compensation temperature TM, it is not observed in GdFe samples where TM is absent. Finally, AOS is experimentally demonstrated against an applied magnetic field of up to 180 mT.