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Frequency-division routing via spin-refractive-index locking
Yuan-Peng Peng1, Shi-Yao Zhu1,2,3, J Q You4,5
1Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Quantum Chips and Quantum Control, State Key Laboratory for Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, School of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Nature Communications
|March 7, 2026
Summary
We discovered spin-refractive-index locking (SRIL) in metamaterials, controlling spin based on refractive index. This enables frequency-selective chiral photon-magnon interactions for reconfigurable on-chip microwave devices.
Area of Science:
- Metamaterials
- Photonics
- Spintronics
Background:
- Conventional spin-momentum locking (SML) dictates spin based on propagation direction.
- Metamaterials offer unique electromagnetic properties.
- Controlling spin-wave interactions is crucial for advanced devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate spin-refractive-index locking (SRIL) in composite right-left-handed transmission-line metamaterials.
- To explore frequency-selective chiral photon-magnon interactions.
- To develop reconfigurable on-chip devices for spin-selective microwave control.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a composite right-left-handed transmission-line metamaterial.
- Integration with a yttrium iron garnet (YIG) sphere.
- Analysis of surface mode spin and effective refractive index.
- Investigation of photon-magnon coupling and nonreciprocity.
Main Results:
- Demonstration of spin-refractive-index locking (SRIL), where transverse spin locks to the refractive index sign.
- Observation of reversed spin for the same energy propagation direction in right- and left-handed bands, distinct from SML.
- Achieved strong, frequency-selective chiral photon-magnon interaction.
- Exhibited nonreciprocity where magnons couple to microwaves of matching spin, with direction determined by the operating band.
Conclusions:
- SRIL provides a novel mechanism for spin control in metamaterials.
- The developed system enables dynamic switching of coupling direction by tuning frequency.
- This research paves the way for compact, reconfigurable on-chip devices for spin-selective microwave control and nonreciprocal signal processing.
