Wideband wide-field imaging of spin-wave propagation using diamond quantum sensors

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a novel method using diamond NV centers to image wideband spin-wave propagation in magnetic materials across a broad frequency range without changing the magnetic field, enhancing spin-wave research capabilities.

Contribution

It introduces a new sensing protocol utilizing the AC Zeeman effect, enabling wideband imaging of spin waves with NV centers beyond the resonance frequency limitations.

Findings

Achieved imaging of spin waves over a 567 MHz frequency detuning range.

Expanded NV center applicability for quantitative spin-wave dynamics.

Enabled detection without changing external magnetic fields.

Abstract

Imaging spin-wave propagation in magnetic materials in a wide frequency range is crucial for understanding and applying spin-wave dynamics. Recently, nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond have attracted attention as sensors capable of quantitatively measuring the amplitude and phase of coherent spin waves. However, the conventional sensing protocol has been limited to detecting spin waves whose frequencies match the resonance frequency of the NV spins. We demonstrate that by utilizing the AC Zeeman effect, it is possible to image spin waves propagating in a yttrium iron garnet (YIG) thin film over a wide frequency range up to a maximum detuning of 567 MHz without changing the external magnetic field. Our results expand the applicability of NV centers for spin-wave sensing and pave the way for quantitative investigations of the dynamics in various magnetic materials, such as metallic ferromagnets and van der Waals magnets.