Tuning magnon spectra via interlayer coupling in pseudo-3D nanostructured artificial spin ice arrays

Abstract

We have investigated the static and dynamic behavior of “pseudo-3D” trilayer square artificial spin ice structures. The trilayer stack comprises of two ferromagnetic Ni81Fe19 (Permalloy, Py) layers with 30 and 70 nm thickness, separated by a nonmagnetic copper layer of varying thickness from 2 to 40 nm. We show that the copper thickness enables interlayer coupling between layers to be finely controlled, leading to bespoke magnetization states and resonance spectra tuning. Our results demonstrate a further route to control the interaction in artificial spin ices beyond planar structures, enabling tunable magnetization dynamics, a potentially programmable degree of freedom for magnonic and microwave devices.