Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 7, 2026
09:06
Visualizing Uniaxial-strain Manipulation of Antiferromagnetic Domains in Fe1+YTe Using a Spin-polarized Scanning Tunneling Microscope
Published on: March 24, 2019
8.5K
Twofold-Symmetric Magnetoelasticity Induced by Dominant Vertical Shear Strain
Fa Chen1, Liyang Liao2, Jiaxin Chen1
1Huazhong University of Science and Technology, School of Integrated Circuits, Wuhan 430074, China.
Physical Review Letters
|January 2, 2026
Summary
We discovered a unique magnetoelastic coupling in nickel films using surface acoustic waves (SAWs). This phenomenon, driven by shear strain, offers new ways to control magnetic properties and hybridize magnons and phonons.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Acoustics
Background:
- Magnetoelastic coupling is crucial for spintronic devices.
- Surface acoustic waves (SAWs) are used to manipulate magnetic properties.
- Understanding strain effects in thin films is key for device optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the magnetoelastic coupling in nickel (Ni) films mediated by Rayleigh surface acoustic waves (SAWs).
- To elucidate the origin of the unconventional twofold-symmetric magnetoelastic coupling.
- To explore the potential of this phenomenon for novel magnon-phonon interactions.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of nickel thin films on a substrate.
- Excitation of Rayleigh surface acoustic waves (SAWs) on the Ni films.
- Analysis of strain components (ϵyz and ϵxx) induced by SAWs.
- Characterization of magnetoelastic coupling symmetry and dominance.
Main Results:
- An unconventional twofold-symmetric magnetoelastic coupling was observed in Ni films.
- A dominant vertical shear strain (ϵyz) was identified as the origin of this symmetry.
- The dominance of ϵyz over conventional in-plane strain (ϵxx) was linked to the low elastic modulus of Ni films and film-substrate interface effects.
- The findings highlight the significance of shear strain in soft thin films under SAW excitation.
Conclusions:
- The study reveals a novel magnetoelastic coupling mechanism in Ni films driven by shear strain via SAWs.
- This discovery provides a new platform for exciting strong nonreciprocal and topological magnon-phonon hybridization.
- The findings have implications for developing advanced spintronic and acoustic devices.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Elastic Strain Energy for Shearing Stresses
461
As discussed in previous lessons, strain energy in a material is the energy stored when it is elastically deformed, a concept crucial in materials science and mechanical engineering. This energy results from the internal work done against the cohesive forces within the material. When a material undergoes shearing stress and corresponding shearing strain, the strain energy density, which is the energy stored per unit volume, is calculated. Within the elastic limit, where the stress is...
461
01:15Relation between Poisson's ratio, Modulus of Elasticity and Modulus of Rigidity
522
Deformation occurs in axial and transverse directions when an axial load is applied to a slender bar. This deformation impacts the cubic element within the bar, transforming it into either a rectangular parallelepiped or a rhombus, contingent on its orientation. This transformation process induces shearing strain. Axial loading elicits both shearing and normal strains. Applying an axial load instigates equal normal and shearing stresses on elements oriented at a 45° angle to the load axis.
522
01:20Shearing Strain
1.2K
The shearing strain represents a cubic element's angular change when subjected to shearing stress. This type of stress can transform a cube into an oblique parallelepiped without influencing normal strains. The cubic element experiences a significant transformation when exposed solely to shearing stress. Its shape alters from a perfect cube into a rhomboid, clearly demonstrating the effect of shearing strain. The degree of this strain is considered positive if it reduces the angle between the...
1.2K
01:12Transformation of Plane Strain
470
When analyzing elongated structures like bars subjected to uniformly distributed loads, it is essential to understand the transformation of plane strain when coordinate axes are rotated. This transformation helps to assess how material deformation characteristics vary with orientation, which is crucial in materials science and structural engineering.
Under plane strain conditions, typical for members where one dimension significantly exceeds the others, deformations and resultant strains are...
Under plane strain conditions, typical for members where one dimension significantly exceeds the others, deformations and resultant strains are...
470
01:16Shear on the Horizontal Face of a Beam Element
487
To understand shear on the flat side of a prismatic beam element, consider the vertical and horizontal shearing forces, and the normal forces, acting on the element. The element's upper (U) and lower (L) sections, which are divided by the beam's neutral axis, are examined. The equilibrium of these forces is determined by applying the equilibrium equation, which helps identify the horizontal shearing force. This force is directly related to the bending moments and the cross-section's...
487
01:29Three-Dimensional Analysis of Strain
564
Three-dimensional strain analysis is crucial for understanding how materials deform under stress, particularly in elastic, homogeneous materials. This method employs principal stress axes to simplify complex stress states into more understandable forms. Subjected to stress, a small cubic element within a material either expands or contracts along these axes, transforming into a rectangular parallelepiped. This transformation effectively illustrates the material's deformation. The principal...
564