Spin-wave diode and circulator based on unidirectional coupling

Abstract: In magnonics, an emerging branch of wave physics characterized by low-energy consumption, it is highly desirable to realize circuit elements within the scope of spin-wave computing. Here, based on numerical simulations, we demonstrate the functionality of the spin-wave diode and the circulator to steer and manipulate spin waves over a wide range of frequency in the GHz regime. They take advantage of the unidirectional coupling induced by the interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction to transfer the spin wave between thin ferromagnetic layers in only one direction of propagation. Using the multilayered structure consisting of Py and Co in direct contact with Pt, we obtain sub-micrometer-size devices of high efficiency. In the diode, the power loss ratio between forward and reverse direction reaches 22 dB, while in the four-port circulator, the efficiency exceeds 13 dB. Thus, our work contributes to the emerging branch of energy-efficient magnonic logic devices, where, thanks to short wavelength of spin waves, it is possible to realize nanoscale devices.