  Femtosecond laser induced ultrafast magnetization dynamics have been studied
in multisublattice CoxDy1-x alloys. By performing element and time-resolved
X-ray spectroscopy, we distinguish the ultrafast quenching of Co3d and Dy4f
magnetic order when the initial temperatures are below (T=150K) or above
(T=270K) the temperature of magnetic compensation (Tcomp). In accordance with
former element-resolved investigations and theoretical calculations, we observe
different dynamics for Co3d and Dy4f spins. In addition we observe that, for a
given laser fluence, the demagnetization amplitudes and demagnetization times
are not affected by the existence of a temperature of magnetic compensation.
However, our experiment reveals a twofold increase of the ultrafast
demagnetization rates for the Dy sublattice at low temperature. In parallel, we
measure a constant demagnetization rate of the Co3d sublattice above and below
Tcomp. This intriguing difference between the Dy4f and Co3d sublattices calls
for further theoretical and experimental investigations.
