Real-time observation of sub-nanosecond magnetic switching in perpendicular multilayers

Abstract Measurements are presented of sub-ns magnetization reversal processes of perpendicularly magnetized (CoCr/Pt) multilayers, using real-time Kerr microscopy with a 10 ps temporal resolution. The multilayers are placed in contact with a ring-type recording head, which is used as a sub-ns risetime magnetic field source (Δ t =0.8 ns). By scanning the laser beam across the gap the influence of the field angle on the reversal process is studied.