Effect of intense x-ray free-electron laser transient gratings on the magnetic domain structure of Tm:YIG

In ferromagnets, domain patterns can be controlled globally using magnetic fields or spin-polarized currents. contrast, the local control of magnetization on nanometer length scale remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate how in a Tm-doped yttrium iron garnet (Tm:YIG) thin film with perpendicular anisotropy permanently and locally imprinted by high intensity photon pulses hard x-ray transient grating (XTG). Micromagnetic simulations provide qualitative understanding observed changes orientation domains Tm:YIG XTG-induced changes. The presented results offer route for manipulation state XTG.