Understanding the rich physics of magnetization dynamics in perpendicular synthetic antiferromagnets (p-SAFs) is crucial for developing next-generation spintronic devices. In this work, we systematically investigate the magnetization dynamics in p-SAFs combining time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect (TR-MOKE) measurements with theoretical modeling. These model analyses, based on a Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert approach incorporating exchange coupling, provide details about the magnetization dynamic characteristics including the amplitudes, directions, and phases of the precession of p-SAFs under varying magnetic fields. These model-predicted characteristics are in excellent quantitative agreement with TR-MOKE measurements on an asymmetric p-SAF. We further reveal the damping mechanisms of two procession modes co-existing in the p-SAF and successfully identify individual contributions from different sources, including Gilbert damping of each ferromagnetic layer, spin pumping, and inhomogeneous broadening. Such a comprehensive understanding of magnetization dynamics in p-SAFs, obtained by integrating high-fidelity TR-MOKE measurements and theoretical modeling, can guide the design of p-SAF-based architectures for spintronic applications.

Published in Phys. Rev. B. Manuscript: 28 pages, 5 figures; Supplemantal Material: 11 pages, 4 figures