Optically induced thermal demagnetization and switching of antiferromagnetic domains in NiO and CoO thin films (dataset)

<p dir="ltr">This is the data for "Laser-induced manipulation of antiferromagnetic domains in NiO and CoO thin films", published in Physical Review Applied, volume 26, article 044008. doi.org/10.1103/jsdr-j4h6</p><p dir="ltr"><br></p><p dir="ltr">In this work, we demonstrate all-optical manipulation of magnetic domains in NiO/Pt and CoO/Pt thin films with insulating antiferromagnetic layers. Using magneto-optical birefringence imaging, we show that even a single laser pulse can thermally demagnetize the antiferromagnet, leading to a random redistribution of domains.

By sweeping the laser beam, domain wall motion is induced, enabling partial switching of the antiferromagnetic order. The behavior is captured by an analytical model in which temperature gradients generated by the moving beam exert a thermal pressure on domain walls in the form of a ponderomotive force. Importantly, the domains can be reversibly toggled solely by reversing the direction of the thermal gradient, demonstrating all-optical switching without the need for electric currents.