Real-Space Observation of Magnon Interaction with Driven Space-Time Crystals

The concept of space-time crystals (STC), i.e., translational symmetry breaking in time and space, was recently proposed and experimentally demonstrated for quantum systems. Here, we transfer this concept to magnons and experimentally demonstrate a driven SIC at room temperature. The SIC is realized by strong homogeneous microwave pumping of a micron-sized permalloy (Py) stripe and is directly imaged by scanning transmission x-ray microscopy (STXM). For a fundamental understanding of the formation of the STC, micromagnetic simulations are carefully adapted to model the experimental fmdings. Beyond the mere generation of a STC, we observe the formation of a magnonic band structure due to back folding of modes at the STC's Brillouin zone boundaries. We show interactions of magnons with the STC that appear as lattice scattering, which results in the generation of ultrashort spin waves (SW) down to 100-nm wavelengths that cannot be described by classical dispersion relations for linear SW excitation. We expect that room-temperature STCs will be useful to investigate nonlinear wave physics, as they can be easily generated and manipulated to control their spatial and temporal band structures.

Automated summary

The concept of space-time crystals (STC) was successfully transferred to magnons and experimentally demonstrated at room temperature. The driven SIC was achieved by strong microwave pumping of a permalloy (Py) stripe, and the interaction between magnons and STC led to the formation of a magnonic band structure. The experimental results showed ultrashort spin waves generation and lattice scattering due to this interaction, which can't be described by classical dispersion relations for linear spin wave excitation.