Light-driven modulation of proximity-enhanced functionalities in hybrid nano-scale systems

Mattia Benini (), Umut Parlak, Sophie Bork, Jaka Strohsack, Richard Leven, David Gutnikov, Fabian Mertens, Evgeny Zhukov, Rajib Kumar Rakshit, Ilaria Bergenti, Andrea Droghetti, Andrei Shumilin, Tomaz Mertelj, Valentin Alek Dediu () and Mirko Cinchetti ()
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Mattia Benini: ISMN-CNR
Umut Parlak: TU Dortmund University
Sophie Bork: TU Dortmund University
Jaka Strohsack: Jozef Stefan Institute
Richard Leven: TU Dortmund University
David Gutnikov: TU Dortmund University
Fabian Mertens: TU Dortmund University
Evgeny Zhukov: TU Dortmund University
Rajib Kumar Rakshit: ISMN-CNR
Ilaria Bergenti: ISMN-CNR
Andrea Droghetti: Universitá Ca‘ Foscari Venezia
Andrei Shumilin: Jozef Stefan Institute
Tomaz Mertelj: Jozef Stefan Institute
Valentin Alek Dediu: ISMN-CNR
Mirko Cinchetti: TU Dortmund University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Advancing quantum information and communication technology requires smaller and faster components with actively controllable functionalities. This work presents an all-optical strategy for dynamically modulating magnetic properties via proximity effects controlled by light. We demonstrate this concept using hybrid nanoscale systems composed of C₆₀ molecules proximitized to a cobalt metallic ferromagnetic surface, where proximity interactions are particularly strong. Our findings show that by inducing excitons in the C60 molecules with resonant ultrashort light pulses, we can significantly modify the interaction at the Cobalt/C60 interface, leading to a remarkable 60% transient shift in the frequency of the Co dipolar ferromagnetic resonance mode. This effect, detected via a specifically designed time-resolved Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect (tr-MOKE) experiment, persists on a timescale of hundreds of picoseconds. Since this frequency shift directly correlates with a transient change in the anisotropy field—an essential parameter for technological applications—our findings establish a new material platform for ultrafast optical control of magnetism at the nanoscale.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62571-7

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