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Free keywords:
Band structure, Binary alloys, Density functional theory, Laser pulses, Manganese alloys, Photocurrents, Terahertz waves, Epitaxially grown, Helicities, Magnetic samples, Magnetic-field, Non-trivial, Property, Pump polarization, Thin-films, THz radiation, Ultra-fast, Tin alloys
Abstract:
Mn3Sn is a material that has attracted a lot of attention lately for its topologically non-trivial band structure, which leads to very promising spintronic properties. In this work we experimentally demonstrate that an epitaxially grown thin film of Mn3Sn acts as a source of THz radiation at room temperature when irradiated by a femtosecond laser pulse. By combining various experimental measurements as a function of pump polarisation, magnetic field, and sample orientation we are able to explain the origin of the THz emission with the photocurrents generated via the photon drag effect. A thorough symmetry analysis combined with electronic band structure calculations using density-functional theory (DFT) are used to support our conclusions and provide a guide towards the important features that lead to photocurrent generation, which is useful for designing ultra-fast current pulses emitters. © 2023, The Author(s).
