NONEQUILIBRIUM MAGNETIZATION DYNAMICS OF NICKEL

Ultrafast magnetization dynamics of nickel has been studied for differ ent degrees of electronic excitation, using pump-probe second-harmonic generation (SHG) with 150 fs, 800 nm laser pulses of various fluences . Information about the electronic and magnetic response to laser irra diation is obtained from sums and differences of the SHG intensity for opposite magnetization directions. The classical M(T) curve can be re produced for delay times longer than the electron thermalization time of about 280 fs, even when electrons and lattice have not reached ther mal equilibrium. Further we show that the transient magnetization reac hes its minimum approximate to 50 fs before electron thermalization is completed.