MAGNETIZATION REVERSAL IN THE PICOSECOND RANGE MEASURED WITH TIME-RESOLVED MAGNETOOPTICAL KERR-EFFECT

We have performed time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect measuremen ts with picosecond resolution in a pump-probe experiment using a 30 ps pulsed dye laser (lambda=577 nm); Two typical magneto-optical storage materials were investigated: a Gd13Tb12Fe75 amorphous film evaporated on a glass substrate and a Co/Pt multilayer on a Si substrate. Curie- point thermomagnetic writing has been performed in less than 2 ns with the Co/Pt multilayer, whereas with the amorphous film magnetization r eversal could not be observed within 6 ns. These differences in switch ing times are likely the consequence of the different thermal conducti vities of the substrates. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.