In this thesis we focus on the theoritical description and on the numerical simulation of the charge and spin dynamics in metallic nano-structures. The physics of metallic nano-structures has stimulated a huge amount of scientific interest in the last two decades, both for fundamental research and for potential technological applications. The thesis is divided in two parts. In the first part we use a semiclassical phase-space model to study the ultrafast charge and spin dynamics in thin ferromagnetic films (Nickel). Both itinerant and localized magnetism are taken into account. It is shown that an oscillating spin current can be generated in the film via the application of a femtosecond laser pulse in the visible range. In the second part we focus on the charge dynamics of electrons confined in metallic nano-particles (Gold) or anisotropic wells. We show that such systems can be used for high harmonic generation.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in the field of spin dynamics and magnetic damping. It discusses the various ways to tune damping, specifically, dynamic and static control in a ferromagnetic layer/heavy metal layer. In addition, it addresses all optical detection techniques for the investigation of modulation of damping, for example, the time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect technique.

Ultrafast magnetization dynamics describe the physics of a magnetic system on the perturbation by a strong laser pulse. This pulse excites the electrons close to the Fermi energy. It is followed by a thermalization due to a variety of scattering processes. The plenitude of these processes is of fundamental interest for solid states physics, but isnot yet understood properly. In the field of ultrafast magnetization dynamics most progress was achieved by all optical measurements. However, the interpretation of all optical experiments is still under debate. In order to gain direct insight into the time evolution of the spin polarization a time and spin-resolved pump-probe experiment is applied. This allows one to measure the quenching of the spin polarization without any optical contributions. In our experiment the spin polarization of the photoexcited electrons of in situ prepared thin Fe and Co films is measured directly with a Mott-detector. The overall signal shape matches the one of the all optical measurements. Thus, with the help of our measurements it could thus be shown, that the all optical techniques indeed contain a contribution of magnetic origin.

The spin dynamics of ferromagnetic thin films following an excitation by ultrashort 100-fs near-infrared laser pulses has recently received much attention. Here, a new approach is described using x-ray magnetic circular dichroism to investigated emagnetization and magnetization switching processes. In contrast to magneto-optical measurements, x-ray dichroism has the advantage of determining separately the spin and orbital components of the magnetic moment. The relatively low time resolution of the synchrotron x-ray probe pulses (80 ps FWHM) is overcome by employing an ultrafast x-ray streak camera with a time resolution of

This second volume of the book on spin dynamics in confined magnetic structures covers central aspects of spin dynamic phenomena, so that researchers can find a comprehensive compilation of the current work in the field. Introductory chapters help newcomers to understand the basic concepts, and the more advanced chapters give the current state of the art for most spin dynamic issues in the milliseconds to femtoseconds range. Both experimental techniques and theoretical work are discussed. The comprehensive presentation of these developments makes this volume very timely and valuable for every researcher working in the field of magnetism. It describes the new experimental techniques which have advanced this field very rapidly. Among the techniques covered, particular attention is given to those involving high temporal, elemental and spatial resolution as well as to techniques involving magnetic field pulses with very short rise times and durations.