  Ultrafast magnetization dynamics induced by femtosecond laser pulses have
been measured in ferrimagnetic Co0.8Gd0.2, Co.74Tb.26 and Co.86Tb.14 alloys.
Using element sensitivity of X-ray magnetic circular dichroism at the Co L3, Tb
M5 and Gd M5 edges we evidence that the demagnetization dynamics is element
dependent. We show that a thermalization time as fast as 280 fs is observed for
the rare-earth in the alloy, when the laser excited state temperature is below
the compensation temperature. It is limited to 500 fs when the laser excited
state temperature is below the Curie temperature (Tc). We propose critical spin
fluctuations in the vicinity of TC as the mechanism which reduces the
demagnetization rates of the 4f electrons in transition-metal rare-earth alloys
whereas at any different temperature the limited demagnetization rates could be
avoided.
