Single femtosecond laser pulse excitation of individual cobalt nanoparticles

The interaction of light and magnetism at the nanoscale is a topic of fundamental interest with potential impact on future spintronics applications. This work addresses theoretically and experimentally the effect of femtosecond laser pulse excitation on the magnetic, structural, and chemical stability of individual magnetic cobalt nanoparticles, including the role of the substrate or matrix. Based on their results, the authors discuss possible pathways to achieve laser-induced magnetic switching in individual nanostructures.