Observation and control of hybrid spin-wave-Meissner-current transport modes

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how superconducting diamagnetism can be used to shape and control spin-wave transport in thin-film magnets, revealing hybrid modes with tunable properties and potential for advanced spintronic devices.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method to manipulate spin-wave transport using superconducting diamagnetism, enabling temperature-tunable and locally controlled hybrid modes.

Findings

Hybridized spin-wave-Meissner-current modes observed

Wavelengths are tunable with temperature and laser focus

London penetration depth extracted from wavelength shifts

Abstract

Superconductors are materials with zero electrical resistivity and the ability to expel magnetic fields known as the Meissner effect. Their dissipationless diamagnetic response is central to magnetic levitation and circuits such as quantum interference devices. Here, we use superconducting diamagnetism to shape the magnetic environment governing the transport of spin waves - collective spin excitations in magnets that are promising on-chip signal carriers - in a thin-film magnet. Using diamond-based magnetic imaging, we observe hybridized spin-wave-Meissner-current transport modes with strongly altered, temperature-tunable wavelengths. We extract the temperature-dependent London penetration depth from the wavelength shifts and realize local control of spin-wave refraction using a focused laser. Our results demonstrate the versatility of superconductor-manipulated spin-wave transport and have potential applications in spin-wave gratings, filters, crystals and cavities.