Stress induced modulation of magnetic domain diffraction of single crystalline yttrium iron garnet

Abstract

Stress induced modulation of the diffraction angle and efficiency of the light reflected from a stripe-domain magnetic garnet was demonstrated. The spacing of the magnetic domain was changed using the inverse magnetostriction effect. The sample structure was a piezo actuator/Al reflection layer/magnetic garnet substrate. A diffraction angle between the 0th and 1st ordered light was changed from 9.12 deg. to 10.20 deg. This result indicates that the domain spacing was changed from 3.3 μm to 3.0 μm. The change of the diffraction angle was irreversible for the voltage. However, reversible, linear and continuous change of the diffraction efficiency was observed. These results could be applicable for a voltage-driven optical solid state light deflector with low power consumption and high switching speed.

Steering light with magnetic textures

“…10,11 Therefore, investigating ways in which tailored magnetic textures can be harnessed for the design of useful optical responses is of particular interest. [11][12][13][14][15] In fact, related approaches for magnetic holography recording and the subsequent steering of light were initiated in the 1970s using garnet materials, [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] MnBi alloys, [24][25][26] and EuO. 27 In light of the metamaterial approach and opportunities, we here revisit the use of yttrium-iron garnet (YIG) 16,18,22 for obtaining one of the most basic functions of an optical component: deflection of light.…”