Different spin and lattice temperatures observed by spin-polarized photoemission with picosecond laser pulses

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Abstract
The spin polarization of the photoelectrons emitted from Sn and Fe during picosecond (ps) and nanosecond (ns) laser pulses is measured as function of the laser intensity. For Sn the optically induced spin polarization is defined through the lattice symmetry. No difference is found between ps and ns heating. From this it is concluded that the melting of a metal like tin occurs on a time scale which is short compared to the duration of a 70 ps laser pulse. In Fe the spin polarization probes the magnetic order. It is found that Fe cannot be demagnetized within the duration of a 30 ps laser pulse, even if the melting point is reached in the laser focus. During a ns laser pulse the spin system and the lattice are in thermal equilibrium.