We study laser-induced ultrafast magnetization reversal in a ferromagnetic spin valve by comparing the effects of direct laser excitation and ultrashort hot-electron pulses. A wedged Cu layer is deposited atop the spin valve to tune energy transmission to the magnetic stack for both optical and hot-electron excitation. We demonstrate single-shot magnetization reversal of the free layer using hot-electron pulses. Moreover, such reversal is achieved even with picosecond laser pulses. The influence of laser fluence, Cu thickness ($t_{\mathrm{Cu}}$), and pulse duration is investigated in detail. Our results indicate that the key factor enabling magnetization reversal is full demagnetization of the free layer, driven by a rapid rise in its electronic temperature—achieved via either direct laser or hot-electron excitation. This work advances the understanding of ultrafast magnetization reversal via nonlocal heat and spin transport under strongly out-of-equilibrium conditions.

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• Ferromagnetism
• Laser-induced demagnetization
• Magneto-optical Kerr effect
• Spin accumulation
• Spin diffusion
• Spin dynamics
• Spin generation
• Spin injection
• Ultrafast magnetization dynamics