Large Terahertz Magnetization Response in Ferromagnetic Nanoparticles

Ultra-fast coherent magnetization reversal, which is indispensable for high-speed spintronic devices, is expected to be realized by irradiation with a nearly monocyclic terahertz pulse. In this letter, using MnAs ferromagnetic nanoparticles embedded in a GaAs host matrix, we observe a large modulation up to 20% of the magnetization of these nanoparticles with terahertz pump pulse irradiation. This modulation ratio is the largest value ever reported for terahertz magnetization modulation. We reveal that the modulation is induced by the electric-field component of the terahertz pulse via spin-carrier interactions. Ferromagnetic nanoparticle systems are promising, and material designing is the key for ultrafast magnetization reversal using terahertz pulses.