Advances in coherent coupling between magnons and acoustic phonons

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in the coherent coupling of magnons and acoustic phonons, highlighting new physics, materials, and device applications for quantum transduction and spintronics.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the latest progress in magnon-phonon coupled systems, emphasizing nonreciprocal propagation and strong coupling in thin films.

Findings

Nonreciprocal acoustic wave propagation observed.

Strong magnon-phonon coupling achieved in magnetic thin films.

Potential for on-chip quantum transduction and spintronic applications.

Abstract

The interaction between magnetic and acoustic excitations have recently inspired many interdisciplinary studies ranging from fundamental physics to circuit implementation. Specifically, the exploration of their coherent interconversion enabled via the magnetoelastic coupling opens a new playground combining straintronics and spintronics, and provides a unique platform for building up on-chip coherent information processing networks with miniaturized magnonic and acoustic devices. In this Perspective, we will focus on the recent progress of magnon-phonon coupled dynamic systems, including materials, circuits, imaging and new physics. In particular, we highlight the unique features such as nonreciprocal acoustic wave propagation and strong coupling between magnons and phonons in magnetic thin-film systems, which provides a unique platform for their coherent manipulation and transduction. We will also review the frontier of surface acoustic wave resonators in coherent quantum transduction and discuss how the novel acoustic circuit design can be applied in microwave spintronics.