Spin waves in a thin film with magnetoelectric coupling at the surfaces

• Published in: Journal of magnetism and magnetic materials Vol. 372; pp. 107 - 111
• Main Authors: Moore, T., Camley, R.E., Livesey, K.L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.12.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Asymmetry; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Exact sciences and technology; Joining; Magnetic properties and materials; Magnetic properties of monolayers and thin films; Magnetic properties of surface, thin films and multilayers; Magnetism; Magnetization; Magnetoelectric; Mathematical analysis; Microwave; Physics; Pinning; Spin wave; Spin waves; Surface; Symmetry; Thin film; Thin films; Microwave; Spin wave; Magnetoelectric; Thin film; Surface; Symmetry; Spin waves; Magnetization; Magnetic thin films; Symmetry breaking; Standing waves; Magnetoelectric effects; Resonance frequency
• ISSN: 0304-8853
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmmm.2014.07.056

The standing spin waves in a thin ferromagnetic film are calculated when the surface magnetization is influenced by magnetoelectric coupling. At the interfaces, inversion symmetry is broken allowing for an energy term that is linear in the electric polarization in the film. For the two film surfaces, the magnetoelectric coupling is opposite in sign and therefore results in asymmetric pinning of the dynamic magnetization. The magnetoelectric pinning alters the spin wave frequencies and also the power absorbed by the material at these resonances. •Magnetoelectric coupling that is symmetry-allowed at surfaces is considered.•Spin wave frequencies and modes are calculated for a thin film.•We find different pinning of dynamic magnetization at the top and bottom surfaces.