Isofrequency spin-wave imaging using color center magnetometry for magnon spintronics

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a novel method for imaging isofrequency spin waves in magnetic films using color center magnetometry, overcoming previous limitations by decoupling sensor spins from control fields and exploiting intrinsic anisotropies.

Contribution

It introduces a technique to decouple sensor spins from control fields and utilizes anisotropic color centers for enhanced spin-wave imaging in magnon spintronics.

Findings

Successful isofrequency imaging of spin waves in a magnetic half-plane

Intrinsic magnetic anisotropies induce bistable spin textures affecting spin-wave transport

Color center magnetometry proves versatile for spin-wave technology advancement

Abstract

Magnon spintronics aims to harness spin waves in magnetic films for information technologies. Color center magnetometry is a promising tool for imaging spin waves, using electronic spins associated with atomic defects in solid-state materials as sensors. However, two main limitations persist: the magnetic fields required for spin-wave control detune the sensor-spin detection frequency, and this frequency is further restricted by the color center nature. Here, we overcome these limitations by decoupling the sensor spins from the spin-wave control fields -selecting color centers with intrinsic anisotropy axes orthogonal to the film magnetization- and by using color centers in diamond and hexagonal boron nitride to operate at complementary frequencies. We demonstrate isofrequency imaging of field-controlled spin waves in a magnetic half-plane and show how intrinsic magnetic anisotropies trigger bistable spin textures that govern spin-wave transport at device edges. Our results establish color center magnetometry as a versatile tool for advancing spin-wave technologies.