Nanoscale spin waves to replace microwaves?
1 min read
Researchers in Sweden have, for the first time, demonstrated that theories about nanoscale spin waves agree with observation, paving the way for microwave technology to be replaced by components that are considerably smaller, cheaper and that require fewer resources.
The University of Gothenburg team, together with scientists at the Royal Institute of Technology, have reported their findings in the journal Nature Nanotechnology. They believe it will open up possibilities in a new field of research known as magnonics.
"We have been in competition with two other research groups to be the first to confirm experimentally theoretical predictions that were first made nearly 10 years ago," said Professor Johan Åkerman, of the University of Gothenburg. "We have been successful due to our method for constructing magnetic nanocontacts and due to the special microscope at our collaborators' laboratory at the University of Perugia in Italy."
The aim of the research project, according to Professor Åkerman, was to demonstrate the propagation of spin waves from magnetic nanocontacts. The team used one of only three advanced spin wave microscopes in the world to visualise the motion. The microscope made it possible to see the dynamic properties of components with a resolution of approximately 250nm.
"I believe that our results will signal the start of a rapid development of magnonic components and circuits," stated Åkerman. "What is particularly exciting is that these components are powered by simple direct current, which is then converted into spin waves in the microwave region. The frequency of these waves can be directly controlled by the current. This will make completely new functions possible."
