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    Ultrafast spin dynamics and low Gilbert damping in ferrimagnetic Mn4N films

    Zhuang Ji1,2,*, Qinwen Lu3,*, Zhen Wang4, Minghui Gu1,2, Dongxiao Yang1, Zhigao Sheng3,†, Jiandong Guo1,2, and Meng Meng1,2,‡

    • *These authors contributed equally to this work.
    • †Contact author: zhigaosheng@hmlf.ac.cn
    • ‡Contact author: mengm@iphy.ac.cn

    Phys. Rev. B 114, 154406 – Published 4 September, 2026

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/sqdz-4x29

    Abstract

    Ultrafast spin dynamics in ferrimagnets underpin high-speed spintronic devices that combine rapid magnetic dynamics with finite magnetization for electrical detection. Here we investigate the ultrafast magnetization and lattice dynamics in ferrimagnetic antiperovskite Mn4N epitaxial thin films on SrTiO3 using time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr spectroscopy. Structural characterization reveals a tetragonal distortion induced by epitaxial tensile strain, which stabilizes strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Following femtosecond optical excitation, the magnetization exhibits an ultrafast demagnetization with a characteristic time of ∼190fs, followed by two recovery components with different timescales, which suggest temporally distinct responses of the inequivalent Mn sublattices. Field-independent demagnetization dynamics indicate that the process is governed primarily by intrinsic electronic scattering rather than external magnetic perturbations. We further demonstrate gigahertz spin precession frequencies and remarkably low Gilbert damping (∼0.02). In addition, coherent acoustic phonon modes in the tens-to-hundreds of GHz range are detected, revealing temperature-dependent lattice softening. These results provide insight into the coupled spin-lattice dynamics of rare-earth-free ferrimagnetic nitrides and highlight Mn4N as a promising platform for ultrafast spintronic applications.

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