Polarization dependent scattering in cavity optomagnonics

TL;DR

This paper investigates how polarization affects magnon-photon scattering in a microcavity, revealing interference effects and mode squeezing that influence scattering suppression and enabling potential device applications.

Contribution

It demonstrates the role of the second-order Cotton-Mouton effect and magnon mode squeezing in polarization-dependent scattering within a microcavity, advancing understanding of optomagnonic interactions.

Findings

Strong broadband suppression of cross-polarized scattering observed

Interference between Faraday and Cotton-Mouton effects explained the suppression

Damon-Eshbach surface modes identified as involved magnon modes

Abstract

The polarization dependence of magnon-photon scattering in an optical microcavity is reported. Due to the short cavity length, the mode-matching conditions found in previously explored, large path-length whispering gallery resonators are absent. Nonetheless, for cross-polarized scattering a strong and broadband suppression of one side-band is observed. This arises due to an interference between the Faraday and second-order Cotton-Mouton effects. To fully account for the suppression of the cross-polarized scattering, it is necessary to consider the squeezing of magnon modes intrinsic to thin-film geometry. A co-polarized scattering due to Cotton-Mouton effect is also observed. In addition, the magnon modes involved are identified as Damon-Eshbach surface modes, whose non-reciprocal propagation could be exploited in devices applications. This work experimentally demonstrates the important role of second order Cotton-Mouton effect for optomagnonic devices.