Controlling the Magnetic Properties of Rare Earth Elements Using a Novel Method

Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize data storage using rare earth elements. A team from HZB, Freie Universität Berlin, and other institutions have shown that laser pulses can influence the magnetic properties of 4f electrons in rare earth materials, such as terbium.

Rare earth materials are known for their strong magnetic properties, which are attributed to the 4f electrons in their structure. Until now, it was believed that these magnetic properties could not be controlled. However, through experiments at the European X-ray laser XFEL and FLASH, researchers have demonstrated that laser excitation can change the magnetic properties of 4f electrons.

The team studied terbium, a rare earth element with atomic number 65, and observed how laser excitation caused a switch in the spatial arrangement of 4f electrons, leading to a change in their magnetism. This discovery opens up new possibilities for the fast and energy-efficient control of magnetic rare-earth materials.

This finding has significant implications for data storage technologies. Rare earth materials could be used in advanced information storage devices, offering faster and more efficient data storage solutions. With the ability to manipulate the magnetic properties of rare earth elements using laser pulses, new opportunities for innovation in data storage could emerge.

The research was made possible by advancements in accelerator-based X-ray sources, enabling high-resolution spectroscopy of magnetic materials on ultrafast time scales. This work positions Berlin as a leading center for research into ultrafast magnetic effects and paves the way for next-generation data storage devices utilizing rare earth elements.