Single-laser pulse toggle switching in CoHo and CoDy single layer alloys : when domain wall motion matters

Single pulse All Optical Helicity-Independent Toggle Switching is observed in CoHo and CoDy alloys single layers. An original reversal mechanism is reported which contrasts with those observed to date. It is shown that the reversal process is on the μs timescale involving the reorganization / coalescence of domains and domain walls. The toggle switching is explained considering the unbalanced magnetization distribution stabilized after the ultrashort laser pulse.