Sub-Micrometer Near-Field Focusing of Spin Waves in Ultrathin YIG Films

Abstract

It is now well established that the propagation of spin waves can be controlled by using approaches similar to those used in optics. In recent years particular attention was given to the possibility to controllably focus propagating spin waves. Such focusing can be achieved relatively easily in confined geometries. In the case of extended magnetic films, the implementation of spin-wave focusing appears to be less straightforward. Several approaches have been suggested. However, all of them are rather complex in terms of practical implementation, particularly on the nanoscale.Here, we experimentally demonstrate tight focusing of a spin-wave beam excited in extended nanometer-thick films of YIG by a simple microscopic antenna functioning as a single-slit near-field lens. We show that the focal distance and the minimum transverse width of the focal spot can be controlled in a broad range by varying the frequency/wavelength of spin waves and the antenna geometry. The experimental data are in good agreement with the results of numerical simulations. Our findings provide a simple solution for the implementation of magnonic nanodevices requiring a local concentration of the spin-wave energy. **