Spin-Wave Optics in YIG Realized by Ion-Beam Irradiation

Direct focused-ion-beam writing is presented as an enabling technology for realizing functional spin-wave devices of high complexity, and demonstrate its potential by optically-inspired designs. It is shown that ion-beam irradiation changes the characteristics of yttrium iron garnet films on a submicron scale in a highly controlled way, allowing one to engineer the magnonic index of refraction adapted to desired applications. This technique does not physically remove material, and allows rapid fabrication of high-quality architectures of modified magnetization in magnonic media with minimal edge damage (compared to more common removal techniques such as etching or milling). By experimentally showing magnonic versions of a number of optical devices (lenses, gratings, Fourier-domain processors) this technology is envisioned as the gateway to building magnonic computing devices that rival their optical counterparts in their complexity and computational power.

Automated summary

Direct focused-ion-beam writing is proposed as a technology for realizing complex functional spin-wave devices, showcasing its potential through optically-inspired designs. Ion-beam irradiation is shown to precisely modify yttrium iron garnet films on a submicron scale, allowing for engineered magnonic index of refraction for desired applications. This non-destructive technique enables rapid fabrication of high-quality architectures in magnonic media, leading to minimal edge damage compared to conventional techniques. The demonstration of magnonic versions of optical devices suggests the possibility of building magnonic computing devices with similar complexity and computational power as their optical counterparts.