Phase-resolved pulsed precessional motion at a Schottky barrier

Abstract

The precessional motion of the magnetization is excited by an ultrashort magnetic-field pulse at a Schottky barrier containing a ferromagnetic film. The precessional frequency, measured as a function of a bias field of variable strength and direction by time resolved Kerr microscopy, is accurately reproduced by a model based on the theory of ferromagnetic resonance. The spatially resolved precessional phase reveals a jump related to the chiral character of the exciting magnetic-field pulse.