Giant reduced magnetic anisotropy in magneto-optical garnet

• Published in: Results in physics Vol. 60; p. 107625
• Main Authors: Li, Han, Zhang, Ding, Zhang, Yuanjing, Yu, Jingyan, Syvorotka, Ihor, Wang, Feng, Yang, Shuting, Wen, Qiye, Zhang, Huaiwu, Yang, Qinghui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.05.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Garnet; Liquid phase epitaxy; Magnetic anisotropy; Magneto-optical; Garnet; Liquid phase epitaxy; Magnetic anisotropy; Magneto-optical
• ISSN: 2211-3797; 2211-3797
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rinp.2024.107625

Magneto-optical garnet shows great potential in integrated optical isolators due to its highly efficient non-reciprocity. In this work, we prepared magneto-optical lithium-modified terbium bismuth iron garnet films using the liquid phase epitaxy method and systemically investigated the effect of lithium modification on magnetic properties. We found a trace amount of lithium modification induced in-plane magnetization and a minimum in-plane driving field around 2 Oe. Meanwhile, high remanence over 70% was obtained in tensile-strain samples. Most importantly, in comparison to unmodified samples, the calculation of anisotropy demonstrated the giant reduction of growth-induced anisotropy in the Li: TbBiIG up to 105erg/cm3. It reveals a new rule of ions’ preferred occupation in dodecahedral sublattices indirectly. Furthermore, enhanced Faraday rotation in the near-infrared band was confirmed in the samples about 1 micrometer, up to 48% higher than unmodified samples. Our work shows Li:TbBiIGs enable a prime candidate material with substantial potential for integrated optical isolation applications. •The first time to fabricate a lithium-modified iron garnet via liquid phase epitaxy.•Li modification changed the preferred occupation of Bi, Tb ions and caused giant reduction of magnetic anisotropy.•In-plane magnetization, ultra-low driving field of 0.2 mT and remanence over 70% were realized in Li: TBIG.•Excellent magnetooptical properties were observed in Li: TBIGs.