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Isofrequency spin-wave imaging using color center magnetometry for magnon spintronics
Samuel Mañas-Valero1, Yasmin C Doedes2, Artem Bondarenko2
1Department of Quantum Nanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands. S.ManasValero@tudelft.nl.
Nature Communications
|December 12, 2025
Summary
Color center magnetometry now images spin waves in magnetic films without frequency detuning. This breakthrough advances magnon spintronics and magnetic device technologies.
Area of Science:
- Solid-state physics
- Spintronics
- Quantum sensing
Background:
- Magnon spintronics utilizes spin waves in magnetic films for advanced information technologies.
- Color center magnetometry offers a promising approach for imaging spin waves using defect spins as sensors.
- Existing methods face limitations due to magnetic field interference and restricted sensor frequencies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To overcome the limitations of color center magnetometry for spin wave imaging.
- To enable precise control and imaging of spin waves in magnetic materials.
- To advance the application of spin waves in future information technologies.
Main Methods:
- Decoupling sensor spins from spin-wave control fields via orthogonal anisotropy.
- Utilizing complementary operating frequencies of color centers in diamond and hexagonal boron nitride.
- Demonstrating isofrequency imaging of field-controlled spin waves.
Main Results:
- Successfully decoupled sensor spins from control fields, preventing frequency detuning.
- Achieved complementary frequency operation using different color centers.
- Demonstrated isofrequency imaging of spin waves in a magnetic half-plane.
- Revealed bistable spin textures governed by intrinsic magnetic anisotropies at device edges.
Conclusions:
- Color center magnetometry is established as a versatile tool for spin wave imaging.
- The developed techniques overcome key limitations in spin wave control and detection.
- This work paves the way for enhanced spin-wave-based information technologies.
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