Exchange scattering on ultrafast timescales in a ferromagnetic two-sublattice system

Abstract

We investigate ultrafast spin dynamics due to exchange, electron-phonon and Elliott-Yafet spin-flip scattering in a model with a simple band structure and ferromagnetically coupled electronic sublattices (or more generally, subsystems). We show that this incoherent model of electronic dynamics leads to sublattice magnetization changes in opposite directions after ultrashort-pulse excitation. This prominent feature on an ultrafast timescale is related to a transfer of energy and angular momentum between the subsystems due to exchange scattering. Our calculations illustrate a possible incoherent mechanism that works in addition to the coherent optically induced spin transfer mechanism.