Nonreciprocal propagation of spin waves in a bilayer magnonic waveguide based on yttrium-iron garnet films

Objectives. Nonreciprocal spin wave effects can manifest themselves in metalized films of ferrite garnets. By studying the dynamics of spin waves in micro- and nano-scale magnetic films, the possibility of using multilayer dielectric films of yttrium iron garnet (YIG) to ensure the manifestation of the nonreciprocity effect is demonstrated. This approach offers advantages compared to the use of a layered YIG/metal structure due to significantly lower spin-wave losses in the two-layer YIG film consisting of layers with different values of magnetization. Such films can be used in logical elements to create controllable Mach-Zehnder interferometers based on magnonic principles. The purpose of this work is to reconcile the concept of nonreciprocal spin-wave propagation of a signal with the simultaneous manifestation of the effects arising from the propagation of spin waves in microwave guides formed by finite-width YIG films.

Methods. We used an experimental microwave spectroscopy method based on a vector network analyzer along with a finite difference method to perform a numerical simulation of the dispersion characteristics of spin waves in two-layer magnonic microwave guides. An analytical model was also used to obtain a dispersion equation based on the magnetostatic approximation.

Results. Based on measurements of the amplitude and phase responses, the possible coexistence of two frequency ranges for the propagation of a spin-wave signal in a two-layer magnon microwave guide based on a YIG film formed by two layers with different values of saturation magnetization was demonstrated. Regimes of nonreciprocal propagation of a spin-wave signal were revealed. A numerical model was using to study the formation mechanisms of spin wave modes in the spectrum of a two-layer structure formed due to the finite dimensions of the microwave guide. An analytical model was used to evaluate the transformation of the mode spectrum. The experimental data are in good agreement with the results of the proposed numerical and analytical models.

Conclusions. The possibility of frequency-selective propagation of spin waves in a magnon microwaveguide consisting of two layers with different saturation magnetization values is demonstrated. Multimode propagation of spin waves can occur inside a two-layer structure in two frequency ranges. At the same time, this process is accompanied by a strong nonreciprocity of spin-wave signal propagation, which manifests itself in a change in the amplitude and phase responses when the direction of the external magnetic field is reversed. The proposed two-layer spin-wave waveguide concept can be used in the manufacture of magnon interconnects and magnon interferometers with the support of multiband regimes of operation.

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