  Faster magnetic recording technology is indispensable to massive data storage
and big data sciences. {All-optical spin switching offers a possible solution},
but at present it is limited to a handful of expensive and complex rare-earth
ferrimagnets. The spin switching in more abundant ferromagnets may
significantly expand the scope of all-optical spin switching. Here by studying
40,000 ferromagnetic spins, we show that it is the optical spin-orbit torque
that determines the course of spin switching in both ferromagnets and
ferrimagnets. Spin switching occurs only if the effective spin angular momentum
of each constituent in an alloy exceeds a critical value. Because of the strong
exchange coupling, the spin switches much faster in ferromagnets than
weakly-coupled ferrimagnets. This establishes a paradigm for all-optical spin
switching. The resultant magnetic field (65 T) is so big that it will
significantly reduce high current in spintronics, thus representing the
beginning of photospintronics.
