Electric-field-driven magnetic domain wall as a microscale magneto-optical shutter

Area of Science:

• Spintronics
• Magneto-optics
• Nanophotonics

Background:

• Magnetic domain walls are key nanodevices in spintronics for energy-efficient switching.
• Controlling magnetic domain walls with external fields is crucial for developing new technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and demonstrate a novel concept for light control using locally applied electric fields on magnetic domain walls.
• To investigate the flexomagnetoelectric effect for manipulating domain wall behavior.
• To develop an electrically controlled magneto-optical shutter and microscale Faraday modulator.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a charged metallic tip to generate a localized electric field near a magnetic domain wall in an iron garnet film.
• Applying the electric field to induce domain wall displacement via the flexomagnetoelectric effect.
• Employing a polarized laser beam focused on the domain wall to demonstrate light modulation.

Main Results:

• Achieved controllable domain wall displacement up to 1/3 of the domain width.
• Demonstrated a novel electrically controlled magneto-optical shutter.
• Showcased a microscale Faraday modulator with linear, nonlinear, and tri-stable light modulation regimes.

Conclusions:

• The proposed method enables precise control of magnetic domain wall displacement using localized electric fields.
• This technique offers a promising pathway for developing advanced nanophotonic and spintronic devices.
• The ability to achieve variable light modulation regimes highlights the potential for sophisticated optical control.