Hermann Dürr: Controlling spins in space and time

A key driver of modern information technology is the quest for “smaller and faster” information processing and storage. Therefore, the idea to probe, change and control properties of materials with the help of femtosecond laser pulses has long intrigued researchers in materials science. Femtosecond soft x-ray pulses from the x-ray free electron lasers, offer the unique opportunity to explore the fundamental speed limits of the nanoscale spin motion in magnetic materials. Femtosecond electron pulses of MeV kinetic energy enable first glimpses at the laser-induced ultrafast lattice motion. I will give an overview how such studies enable us to understand and ultimately control the energy and angular momentum flow between spin, charge and lattice degrees of freedom in magnetic and strongly correlated electron materials.