Spintronic Emitter Research Articles

360° Polarization Control of Terahertz Spintronic Emitters Using Uniaxial FeCo/TbCo2/FeCo Trilayers

Polarization control of THz light is of paramount interest for the numerous applications offered in this frequency range. Recent developments in THz spintronic emitters allow for a very efficient broadband emission, and especially unique is their ability of THz polarization switching through magnetization control of the ferromagnetic layer. Here we present an improved scheme to achieve full 360° nearly coherent polarization rotation that does not require multipolar or rotating external magnetic bias nor complex cascaded emitters. By replacing the FM layer of the spintronic emitter with a carefully designed FeCo/TbCo2/FeCo anisotropic heterostructure, we experimentally demonstrate Stoner–Wohlfarth-like coherent rotation of the THz polarization over a full 2π azimuth only by a bipolar variation of the strength of the hard axis field, and with only a negligible decrease in the emission efficiency as compared to standard Pt/CoFeB/W inverse spin Hall emitters. THz measurements are in agreement with our model of the nonperfect Stoner–Wohlfarth behavior. These emitters are well adapted for the implementation of polarimetric characterization not requiring any mechanically rotating polarizing elements. An example is given with the characterization of the birefringence in a quartz plate.

Spintronic terahertz emitters exploiting uniaxial magnetic anisotropy for field-free emission and polarization control

We explore the terahertz (THz) emission from CoFeB/Pt spintronic structures in the below-magnetic-saturation regime and reveal an orientation dependence in the emission, arising from in-plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropy (UMA) in the ferromagnetic layer. Maximizing the UMA during the film deposition process and aligning the applied magnetic field with the easy axis of the structure allow the THz emission to reach saturation under weaker applied fields. In addition, the THz emission amplitude remains at saturation levels when the applied field is removed. The development of CoFeB/Pt spintronic structures that can emit broadband THz pulses without the need for an applied magnetic field is beneficial to THz magneto-optical spectroscopy and facilitates the production of large-area spintronic emitters. Furthermore, by aligning the applied field along the hard axis of the structure, the linear polarization plane of the emitted THz radiation can be manipulated by changing the magnitude of the applied field. We, therefore, demonstrate THz polarization control without the need for mechanical rotation of external magnets.

Composition-dependent ultrafast THz emission of spintronic CoFe/Pt thin films

We measure the transient THz emission of ultrathin spintronic bilayers composed of a cobalt–iron alloy (CoxFe1−x) and platinum (Pt), depending on the Co content 0 ≤ x ≤ 1. We find that the THz emission amplitude changes only slightly over the entire concentration range, indicating that Fe and Co contribute similarly to the THz generation process. Additionally, we fabricate multilayer stacks and find that the THz amplitude is increased by up to 36% compared to a single bilayer CoFe/Pt spintronic emitter.

Spintronic emitters for super-resolution in THz-spectral imaging

We investigate local THz field generation using spintronic THz emitters to enhance the resolution for micrometer-sized imaging. Far-field imaging with wavelengths above 100 μm limits the resolution to this order of magnitude. By using optical laser pulses as a pump, THz field generation can be confined to the area of laser beam focusing. The divergence of the generated THz beam due to laser beam focusing requires the imaged object to be close to the generation spot at a distance below the THz field wavelength. We generate THz-radiation by fs-laser pulses in CoFeB/Pt heterostructures, based on spin currents, and detect them by commercial low-temperature grown-GaAs (LT-GaAs) Auston switches. The spatial resolution of THz radiation is determined by applying a 2D scanning technique with motorized stages allowing step sizes in the sub-micrometer range. Within the near-field limit, we achieve spatial resolution in the dimensions of the laser spot size on the micrometer scale. For this purpose, a gold test pattern is evaporated on the spintronic emitter separated by a 300 nm SiO2 spacer layer. Moving these structures with respect to the femtosecond laser spot, which generates THz radiation, allows for resolution determination. The knife-edge method yields a full-width half-maximum beam diameter of 4.9±0.4 μm at 1 THz. The possibility to deposit spintronic emitter heterostructures on simple glass substrates makes them attractive candidates for near-field imaging in many imaging applications.

Spintronic emitter of terahertz radiation based on two-dimensional semiconductor tungsten diselenide

We propose a new spintronic emitter based on the Co/WSe2 heterostructure. The time of ultrafast demagnetization is estimated. It is shown that the two-dimensional ferromagnet/semiconductor interface exhibits strong spin-orbit coupling. Approaches to the description of the mechanism of generation of THz radiation are implemented. It is shown that the polarization orientation of THz radiation depends on the direction of magnetization Keywords: Spintronic emitter, THz radiation, two-dimensional semiconductors, Co/WSe2, THz polarization.

Спинтронный терагерцевый эмиттер на основе двумерного полупроводникового диселенида вольфрама

We propose a new spintronic emitter based on the Co/WSe2 heterostructure. The time of ultrafast demagnetization is estimated. It is shown that the two-dimensional ferromagnet/semiconductor interface exhibits strong spin-orbit coupling. Approaches to the description of the mechanism of generation of THz radiation are implemented. It is shown that the polarization orientation of THz radiation depends on the direction of magnetization.

Increasing the Efficiency of a Spintronic THz Emitter Based on WSe2/FeCo.

We report an increase in terahertz (THz) radiation efficiency due to FeCo/WSe2 structures in the reflection geometry. This can be attributed to an absorption increase in the alloy FeCo layer at the input FeCo/WSe2 interface due to constructive interference, as well as to the backward transport of hot carriers from FeCo to WSe2. In contrast to the transmission geometry, the THz generation efficiency in the reflection is much less dependent on the magnetic layer thickness. Our results suggest a cheap and efficient way to improve the characteristics of THz spintronic emitters with the conservation of a full set of their important properties.

Active spintronic-metasurface terahertz emitters with tunable chirality

The ability to manipulate the electric-field vector of broadband terahertz waves is essential for applications of terahertz technologies in many areas, and can open up new possibilities for nonlinear terahertz spectroscopy and coherent control. Here, we propose a novel laser-driven terahertz emitter, consisting of metasurface-patterned magnetic multilayer heterostructures. Such hybrid terahertz emitters can combine the advantages of spintronic emitters for being ultrabroadband, efficient and flexible, as well as those of metasurfaces for the unique capability to manipulate terahertz waves with high precision and degree of freedom. Taking a stripe-patterned metasurface as an example, we demonstrate the generation of broadband terahertz waves with tunable chirality. Based on experimental and theoretical studies, the interplay between the laser-induced spintronic-origin currents and the metasurface-induced transient charges/currents are investigated, revealing the strong influence on the device functionality originated from both the light-matter interactions in individual metasurface units and the dynamic coupling between them. Our work not only offers a flexible, reliable and cost-effective solution for chiral terahertz wave generation and manipulation, but also opens a new pathway to metasurface-tailored spintronic devices for efficient vector-control of electromagnetic waves in the terahertz regime.

Principles of spintronic THz emitters

Significant progress has been made in answering fundamental questions about how and, more importantly, on what time scales interactions between electrons, spins, and phonons occur in solid state materials. These complex interactions are leading to the first real applications of terahertz (THz) spintronics: THz emitters that can compete with traditional THz sources and provide additional functionalities enabled by the spin degree of freedom. This Tutorial article is intended to provide the background necessary to understand, use, and improve THz spintronic emitters. A particular focus is the introduction of the physical effects that underlie the operation of spintronic THz emitters. These effects were, for the most part, first discovered through traditional spin-transport and spintronic studies. We, therefore, begin with a review of the historical background and current theoretical understanding of ultrafast spin physics that has been developed over the past 25 years. We then discuss standard experimental techniques for the characterization of spintronic THz emitters and—more broadly—ultrafast magnetic phenomena. We next present the principles and methods of the synthesis and fabrication of various types of spintronic THz emitters. Finally, we review recent developments in this exciting field including the integration of novel material platforms such as topological insulators as well as antiferromagnets and materials with unconventional spin textures.

Spintronic terahertz emitters: Status and prospects from a materials perspective

Spintronic terahertz (THz) emitters, consisting of ferromagnetic (FM)/non-magnetic (NM) thin films, have demonstrated remarkable potential for use in THz time-domain spectroscopy and its exploitation in scientific and industrial applications. Since the discovery that novel FM/NM heterostructures can be utilized as sources of THz radiation, researchers have endeavored to find the optimum combination of materials to produce idealized spintronic emitters capable of generating pulses of THz radiation over a large spectral bandwidth. In the last decade, researchers have investigated the influence of a wide range of material properties, including the choice of materials and thicknesses of the layers, the quality of the FM/NM interface, and the stack geometry upon the emission of THz radiation. It has been found that particular combinations of these properties have greatly improved the amplitude and bandwidth of the emitted THz pulse. Significantly, studying the material properties of spintronic THz emitters has increased the understanding of the spin-to-charge current conversion processes involved in the generation of THz radiation. Ultimately, this has facilitated the development of spintronic heterostructures that can emit THz radiation without the application of an external magnetic field. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of the experimental and theoretical findings that have led to the development of spintronic THz emitters, which hold promise for use in a wide range of THz applications. We summarize the current understanding of the mechanisms that contribute to the emission of THz radiation from the spintronic heterostructures and explore how the material properties contribute to the emission process.

Imprinting the complex dielectric permittivity of liquids into the spintronic terahertz emission

We report an approach in time-domain terahertz (THz) spectroscopy for measuring the dielectric response of liquids based on inherent properties of spintronic THz emitters (STEs). The THz electric field radiated from the STE is inversely proportional to the sum of the complex refractive indices of the media surrounding the thin metallic stack of the STE and the stack's conductivity. We demonstrate that by bringing a liquid in contact with the emitter, its complex refractive index and accordingly its dielectric response are imprinted into the radiated electromagnetic field from the emitter. We use water as the test liquid and ascertain its dielectric loss and permittivity in the range of ∼0.3–15 THz.

Modulating the polarization of broadband terahertz pulses from a spintronic emitter at rates up to 10 kHz

Reliable modulation of terahertz electromagnetic waveforms is important for many applications. Here, we rapidly modulate the direction of the electric field of linearly polarized terahertz electromagnetic pulses with 1–30 THz bandwidth by applying time-dependent magnetic fields to a spintronic terahertz emitter. Polarity modulation of the terahertz field with more than 99% contrast at a rate of 10 kHz is achieved using a harmonic magnetic field. By adding a static magnetic field, we modulate the direction of the terahertz field between angles of, for instance, −53° and 53° at kilohertz rates. We believe our approach makes spintronic terahertz emitters a promising source for low-noise modulation spectroscopy and polarization-sensitive techniques such as ellipsometry at 1–30 THz.

Magnetization-induced optical rectification and inverse spin Hall effect for interfacial terahertz generation in metallic heterostructures

Metallic heterostructure as promising terahertz (THz) spintronic emitters has promoted the development of both spintronics and THz science. However, the underlying physics at the metallic interface, such as the nonlinear optical effect, remains unclear. Herein, we present interface magnetization induced THz generation from metallic heterostructure consisting of Heusler alloy CoFeMnSi (CFMS) and Pd thin films. THz generation is ascribed to 35% contribution from the magnetization-induced optical rectification (MOR) and 65% contribution from inverse spin Hall effect (ISHE) based on the pump polarization and sample azimuthal angle dependent measurement. Furthermore, the contribution ratio of the MOR decreases to 12% via lowering the CFMS grown temperature, which is due to the reduced crystalline quality and possible metal to semiconductor transformation in CFMS. Our results not only clarify MOR and ISHE in metallic heterostructure for the scientific field, but they also benefit THz source optimization for the technology field.

Switchable generation of azimuthally- and radially-polarized terahertz beams from a spintronic terahertz emitter.

We propose and demonstrate a method of generating two fundamental terahertz cylindrical vector beams (THz-CVBs), namely the azimuthally- and radially-polarized THz pulses, from a spintronic THz emitter. We begin by presenting that the spintronic emitter generates the HE21 mode, a quadrupole like polarization distribution, when placed between two magnets with opposing polarity. By providing an appropriate mode conversion using a triangular Si prism, we show both from experiment and numerical calculation that we obtain azimuthal and radial THz vector beams. The proposed method facilitates the access of CVBs and paves the way toward sophisticated polarization control in the THz regime.

THz spintronic emitters: a review on achievements and future challenges

Abstract The field of THz spintronics is a novel direction in the research field of nanomagnetism and spintronics that combines magnetism with optical physics and ultrafast photonics. The experimental scheme of the field involves the use of femtosecond laser pulses to trigger ultrafast spin and charge dynamics in thin films composed of ferromagnetic and nonmagnetic thin layers, where the nonmagnetic layer features a strong spin–orbit coupling. The technological and scientific key challenges of THz spintronic emitters are to increase their intensity and to shape the frequency bandwidth. To achieve the control of the source of the radiation, namely the transport of the ultrafast spin current is required. In this review, we address the generation, detection, efficiency and the future perspectives of THz emitters. We present the state-of-the-art of efficient emission in terms of materials, geometrical stack, interface quality and patterning. The impressive so far results hold the promise for new generation of THz physics based on spintronic emitters.

Single Crystalline Higher Manganese Silicide Nanowire Arrays with Outstanding Physical Properties through Double Tube Chemical Vapor Deposition.

In this work, we report a novel and efficient silicidation method to synthesize higher manganese silicide (HMS) nanowires with interesting characterization and physical properties. High density silicon nanowire arrays fabricated by chemical etching reacted with MnCl2 precursor through a unique double tube chemical vapor deposition (CVD) system, where we could enhance the vapor pressure of the precursor and provide stable Mn vapor with a sealing effect. It is crucial that the method enables the efficient formation of high quality higher manganese silicide nanowires without a change in morphology and aspect ratio during the process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were utilized to characterize the HMS nanowires. High-resolution TEM studies confirm that the HMS nanowires were single crystalline Mn27Si47 nanowires of Nowotny Chimney Ladder crystal structures. Magnetic property measurements show that the Mn27Si47 nanowire arrays were ferromagnetic at room temperature with a Curie temperature of over 300 K, highly depending on the relationship between the direction of the applied electric field and the axial direction of the standing nanowire arrays. Field emission measurements indicate that the 20 μm long nanowires possessed a field enhancement factor of 3307. The excellent physical properties of the HMS nanowires (NWs) make them attractive choices for applications in spintronic devices and field emitters.

Temperature dependent inverse spin Hall effect in Co/Pt spintronic emitters

In bilayers of ferromagnets and heavy metals, which form the so-called spintronic emitters, the phenomena of ultrafast demagnetization and the inverse spin Hall effect (ISHE) conspire to yield remarkably efficient emission of electric pulses in the THz band. Light-induced demagnetization of the ferromagnet launches a pulse of spin current into the heavy metal, wherein it bifurcates into a radiative charge transient due to the ISHE. The influence of temperature on this combined effect should depend on both the magnetic phase diagram and the microscopic origin of spin Hall conductivity, but its exact dependence remains to be clarified. Here, we experimentally study the temperature dependence of an archetypal spintronic emitter, the Co/Pt bilayer, using electro-optic sampling of the emitted THz pulses in the time domain. The emission amplitude is attenuated with decreasing temperature, consistent with an inverse spin Hall effect in platinum of predominantly intrinsic origin.

Terahertz Magneto-Optic Sensor/Imager

We are reporting a new type of compact magneto-optic sensor constructed from terahertz-wave spintronic emitter and electro-optic detector. The corresponding terahertz polarization output of the emitter and the detection phase-sensitivity of the detector depend on the vector of the external magnetic field. The emitter/detector pair consists of two small and thin wafers sandwiched together and capped with a thin gold mirror. As a result, the use of bulky terahertz steering/collection optics was completely eliminated in our magneto-optic imager. With such simple on-chip generation/detection scheme for terahertz time-domain setup in reflection-type geometry, we were able to record the raster-scanned image contrast of a permanent magnet in the proximity of the sensor surface. The contrast strongly varies with the magnet orientation and its position with respect to the sensor. The imager spatial resolution depends on chip optical quality for tight femtosecond-laser pump/probe cross-focusing at detector/mirror interface and terahertz generation/detection efficiency. In this respect, the chip robustness to the pump/probe fluences is also an important factor to consider.

Thermomagnetic control of spintronic THz emission enabled by ferrimagnets

In this Letter, we present a material system with two ferrimagnetic GdxFe100-x layers where the relative orientation of the Fe magnetic moments can be set by temperature in the presence of an external magnetic field. We demonstrate that, depending on the relative alignment of the Fe moments, the spintronic emitter system can be either in a high- or in a low-amplitude terahertz emitting state. Nonmagnetic metal layers with opposite spin Hall angles were utilized for further improvement of the efficiency. This study opens a route for an efficient type of spintronic terahertz emitter system based on the ferrimagnetic properties of rare earth-3d transition metal alloys, which allows switching the emission state from high to low power.

Laser‐Driven Strong‐Field Terahertz Sources

AbstractA review on the recent development of intense laser‐driven terahertz (THz) sources is provided here. The technologies discussed include various types of sources based on optical rectification (OR), spintronic emitters, and laser‐filament‐induced plasma. The emphasis is on OR using pump pulses with tilted intensity front. Illustrative examples of newly emerging applications are briefly discussed, in particular strong‐field THz control of materials and acceleration and manipulation of charged particles.