Steering light with magnetic textures

Ioan-Augustin Chioar,Vassilios Kapaklis,Björgvin Hjörvarsson,Evangelos Th Papaioannou,Richard M Rowan-Robinson,Christina Vantaraki,Merlin Pohlit

doi:10.1063/5.0074391

Abstract

We study the steering of visible light using a combination of magneto-optical effects and the reconfigurability of magnetic domains in yttrium-iron garnet films. The spontaneously formed stripe domains are used as a field-controlled optical grating, allowing for active spatiotemporal control of light. We discuss the basic ideas behind the approach and provide a quantitative description of the field dependence of the obtained light patterns. Finally, we calculate and experimentally verify the efficiency of our magneto-optical grating.

Highlights

In light of the metamaterial approach and opportunities, we here revisit the use of yttrium-iron garnet (YIG)16,18,22 for obtaining one of the most basic functions of an optical component: deflection of light
We study the steering of visible light using a combination of magneto-optical effects and the reconfigurability of magnetic domains in yttrium-iron garnet films
The spontaneously formed stripe domains are used as a field-controlled optical grating, allowing for active spatiotemporal control of light

Summary

Introduction

In light of the metamaterial approach and opportunities, we here revisit the use of yttrium-iron garnet (YIG)16,18,22 for obtaining one of the most basic functions of an optical component: deflection of light. ABSTRACT We study the steering of visible light using a combination of magneto-optical effects and the reconfigurability of magnetic domains in yttrium-iron garnet films.

Results

Conclusion