All-optical magnetic recording in garnets using a single laser pulse at L-band telecom wavelengths

Ultrafast photo-magnetism in dielectric garnets reveals a possibility to perform magnetization switching with a single laser pulse. We demonstrate ultrafast photo-magnetic switching in Co-doped iron garnet films at wavelengths relevant to the more-enabled optical L-band window. We studied both photo-induced magnetization precession and switching of magnetization within the near-infrared spectral range using magneto-optical tools. Single laser pulse switching of magnetization around the 1590 nm wavelength has been found in a narrow resonance band using magneto-optical imaging. The high efficiency of this switching, along with a very low-photon absorption in the L-band, makes this phenomenon interesting for both all-optical magnetic recording and data transfer using telecom systems.