Spins in solids offer the opportunities to develop novel high
performance electrical/optical devices. For future spin-based
devices, the magnetization reversal without an applied external
magnetic field is one of crucial technologies. We have
demonstrated to rotate the magnetization of ferromagnetic
semiconductor (Ga,Mn)As by hole spin injection with cw circularly
polarized light at zero magnetic field. To elucidate the role of
hole spins for magnetization rotation, in this research project,
we have studied the dynamics of photoinduced magnetization rotation
in (Ga,Mn)As by measuring the time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr
effect using a femto-second Ti:sapphire laser. Photoinduced
magnetization rotation occurs instantaneously within the pulse
width (~150 fs), whereas relaxation takes place within tens of ps.
The observed behavior leads us to infer the new type of excitation
involving the spin complex consisting of coupled hole-Mn spins in
hole-induced ferromagnetism. Utilizing (Ga,Mn)As-based quantum well
structures, in which the hole spin relaxation time would be prolonged,
we have accomplished to enhance the photoinduced magnetization
rotation. This opens the possibility to manipulate the magnetization
rotation by controlling the carrier dimensionality. We have succeeded,
for the first time, the partial magnetization reversal by electrical
spin injection in small-size pillar-shaped (Ga,Mn)As-based tunnel
magnetoresistance devices. |