Light-driven magnetization dynamics in vdW magnetic semiconductor heterostructures

Atomic-scale heterostructures of van der Waals (vdW) magnets and semiconductors provide a unique environment for exploring magnetic dynamics. Here we utilize time-resolved Kerr rotation to investigate the precessional dynamics of 2D magnet Cr₂Ge₂Te₆ (CGT) that is triggered by an optical pump pulse. We find that adding a monolayer transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) WS₂ overlayer can enhance the amplitude of precession, and we will discuss possible mechanisms for the enhancement.

In addition, we show that optically-generated spin currents from the TMD into CGT can also trigger precessional dynamics, although the amplitude is relatively small. These results provide new avenues for ultrafast manipulation of magnetization in vdW heterostructures.