Flexoelectric phase shifter for spin waves

Abstract

A controlled phase shifter for spin waves is an essential component of spin-wave logic devices. Theoretical calculations indicate that electrical control of the spin-wave phase can be realized in a simple ferromagnet that lacks long-ranged electric order by the interaction between an electric field and the spatial gradient of the magnetization—known as a flexoelectric interaction. Making use of a previous estimate of the strength of the flexoelectric coupling in ferromagnetic insulator Y3Fe5O12 (yttrium iron garnet) we find that a change in wave vector of the order of 1% can be achieved with an electric field of 106 V/m.