Ultrafast single-pulse switching of Tb-dominant CoTb alloy

Single-pulse magnetization switching by femtosecond laser pulses is the fastest way to manipulate magnetization. To date, among rare-earth transition metal alloys, single-pulse switching is limited to Gd-based structures. Here, we demonstrate ultrafast single-pulse switching of Tb-dominant CoTb alloys within several tens of picoseconds. Our further analysis shows that the ultrafast magnetization reversal is linked to ultrafast heating of laser pulses and an external field.