Optimization of a time resolved magneto optical Kerr effect magnetometer over nanosecond time-scales with femtosecond resolution
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Abstract
Time-resolved magneto-optic studies of magnetic materials are of wide interest across the globe today as we constantly search for new ways to push the development of technology forward. The development of technology requires new and innovative characterization methods to determine which materials are worth our research focus. The time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect (TR-MOKE) has been a characterization tool applied to study magneto-dynamic phenomena over time-scales down to tens of femtoseconds, known as ultrafast phenomena, since the 1990s. This thesis will present the development a TR-MOKE magnetometer that implements a dual-delay line configuration to obtain resolution shorter than one picosecond for a total delay over ten nanoseconds. The apparatus, which is developed throughout this work, will be capable of measuring spin waves with GHz frequencies down to ultrafast switching phenomena in the THz range, allowing for the investigation of long- and short-time scale magnetodynamic phenomena. This apparatus is additionally designed for versatility. Alterations were made to obtain preliminary time-resolved infrared spectroscopy measurements over nanosecond timescales.