Ultrafast dynamics of wavelength-sensitive magnons in unconventional compensated semiconducting antiferromagnet

Antiferromagnet is a promising candidate for the next generation spintronic devices, benefiting from its ultrafast dynamics and spontaneous zero stray field. However, the understanding of their ultrafast spin behaviors is lacking due to the challenges of controlling/detecting the quenched net magnetization. Unconventional compensated semiconducting antiferromagnets present strong time-reversal symmetry breaking, spin splitting in the momentum space, and suitable bandgap for optical control/detection. Thus, it is a powerful platform to uncover the ultrafast dynamics of antiferromagnets. Here, we show an exotic wavelength-dependent spin dynamic in the unconventional compensated semiconducting antiferromagnet α-MnTe via time-resolved quadratic magneto-optical Kerr effect measurement, where the probing photon energy of the laser matches its bandgap. This direct excitation and detection of distinct magnon modes reveal varying spin behaviors and time characteristics in a broad temperature range. It originates from the spins triggered at different bands of electronic structures and is depicted in an energy transfer model among electrons, phonons, and magnons. Our study of exotic optical properties in this unconventional semiconducting antiferromagnet fulfills the missing information of spin evolution in the time domain and paves the way for its utilization in ultrafast spintronic devices.