A novel non-thermal photomagnetic torque originating from spin–orbit coupling of non-equilibrium photocarriers excited by helicity-independent laser pulses is found in (Ga,Mn)As thin films. It differs fundamentally from optical spin–transfer torque. The possibility of studying spin–orbit torques on short timescales achievable by pump–probe magneto-optical measurements is demonstrated.
- N. Tesařová
- P. Němec
- T. Jungwirth
