Ferromagnetic switching dynamics as revealed by optical microscopy

Summary form only given The study of ferromagnetic dynamics by time-resolved magneto-optical microscopy has a long history owing to the fact that optical techniques are so naturally suited to high-speed measurements. The ongoing development of pulsed lasers has allowed this tradition to continue in grand style. The majority of present activity is concentrated on time-resolved dynamics in the picosecond regime, a range that was out of reach in the earlier "golden age" of switching dynamics several decades ago.