Dynamic phase reversal of photo-induced precession of magnetization in ferromagnetic (Ga,Mn)As thin film

Ultrafast laser-triggered coherent magnetization dynamics in ferromagnetic (Ga,Mn)As films have been investigated by time-resolved magneto-optical spectroscopy. Dynamic phase reversal in the magnetic precession process is observed when the ambient temperature or the external magnetic field is varied. This phenomenon is found to be sensitive to the spontaneous magnetization orientation, and is attributed to the giant magnetic linear dichroism (MLD) effect in (Ga,Mn)As. Our findings suggest that this effect will enable the sensitive measurement of the dynamic phase of in-plane magnetization precession on picosecond time scale in the collective spin excitation in (Ga,Mn)As, thus enabling efficient and ultrafast magneto-optical detection for magnetization dynamics in ferromagnetic semiconductor-based spintronic devices.