Recent interest in developing fast spintronic devices and laser-controllable magnetic solids has sparked tremendous experimental and theoretical efforts to understand and manipulate ultrafast dynamics in materials. Studies of spin dynamics in the terahertz (THz) frequency range are particularly important for elucidating microscopic pathways toward novel device functionalities. Here, we review THz phenomena related to spin dynamics in rare-earth orthoferrites, a class of materials promising for antiferromagnetic spintronics. We expand this topic into a description of four key elements. (1) We start by describing THz spectroscopy of spin excitations for probing magnetic phase transitions in thermal equilibrium. While acoustic magnons are useful indicators of spin reorientation transitions, electromagnons that arise from dynamic magnetoelectric couplings serve as a signature of inversion-symmetry-breaking phases at low temperatures. (2) We then review the strong laser driving scenario, where the system is excited far from equilibrium and thereby subject to modifications to the free-energy landscape. Microscopic pathways for ultrafast laser manipulation of magnetic order are discussed. (3) Furthermore, we review a variety of protocols to manipulate coherent THz magnons in time and space, which are useful capabilities for antiferromagnetic spintronic applications. (4) Finally, new insights into the connection between dynamic magnetic coupling in condensed matter and the Dicke superradiant phase transition in quantum optics are provided. By presenting a review on an array of THz spin phenomena occurring in a single class of materials, we hope to trigger interdisciplinary efforts that actively seek connections between subfields of spintronics, which will facilitate the invention of new protocols of active spin control and quantum phase engineering.

为了研制出表面微透镜集成外腔的垂直腔面发射激光器（VCSEL），实现窄线宽无磁激光输出，满足原子磁强计等量子传感器应用要求，本文设计并生长了适合于表面集成微透镜的VCSEL外延结构，完成了表面微透镜集成外腔VCSEL器件制备，在电极材料方面选取无磁材料以满足应用要求。实验结果表明：研制的VCSEL器件工作温度达到90 °C，激光波长为896.3 nm，功率为1.52 mW，边模抑制比为36.3 dB，激光线宽为38 MHz，封装为模组后的磁场强度低于0.03 nT。结果表明本文研制的窄线宽无磁VCSEL满足量子传感的应用需求。

在低温条件(T_C≈3~22 K)下, 除了4f电子满壳层的LuB₁₂之外, 其他稀土-硼十二化合物(简称RB₁₂, R为稀土元素Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm)存在磁性和比热的反常现象, 该反常现象的机制至今仍存争议。尽管磁化率曲线上的隆起与R³⁺离子的反铁磁序类似, 但是中子衍射谱和莫斯堡尔谱的实验均没有明确给出稀土离子的磁结构。这些化合物磁化率、熵的反常行为和低温中子谱的结果都与RB₁₂具有幅度调制的磁结构一致。本课题组采用模型和数值计算相结合的方法来探究该反常行为的物理机制。研究表明: 由于稀土离子meV量级的晶场劈裂易受热涨落扰动, 晶场劈裂能不再是一个量子力学参量, 而是一个热力学序参量。物理图像中轨道角动量逐渐淬灭很好地解释了磁性和比热的反常现象。结合该类晶体低温下在(111)晶向的二聚化行为和非弹性散射谱的结果, 对中子散射谱中的双峰结构也给予了一个可能的解释。

本工作主要研究Mn ²⁺离子掺杂的类刚玉系氧化物Zn₃TeO₆(0<x≤2.0)的晶体结构与光学性质和磁性的变化。Zn_3-xMn_xTeO₆粉末样品通过固相反应合成。Mn掺杂量的相图表明, x<1.0时保持单斜(C2/c)结构, 1.0≤x≤1.6为单斜(C2/c)和三方六面体混合相(R-3), x≥1.8时完全转变为R-3相, 且x=2.0时形成ZnMn₂TeO₆, Te-O和Mn/Zn-O键长增大, 八面体发生更大畸变。X射线粉末衍射结构精修也表明R-3相中Zn/MnO₆为畸变八面体。随着Mn ²⁺掺杂含量的增加, Zn_3-xMn_xTeO₆系列化合物不仅结构发生变化, 其颜色也由浅变深。紫外吸收光谱中随着掺杂浓度的增加, 400~550 nm处的吸收增强, 样品的光学带隙也由3.25 eV (x=0.1)逐渐减小到2.08 eV (x=2.0), 分析表明, 可见区吸收的增强是源于MnO₆八面体中Zn/MnO₆八面体中Mn ²⁺离子的d-d跃迁, 导致样品由浅黄色逐渐变为暗黄色。 磁性测试表明, 固溶体的反铁磁转变温度随着Mn ²⁺掺杂量的提高而逐渐增加, 且掺入的Mn ²⁺离子以高自旋态 存在。