Researchers from the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science in Japan have made significant progress in creating a strong coupling between two types of waves, magnons, and phonons, in a thin film at room temperature. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the development of hybrid wave-based devices for information storage and manipulation. Traditional electronic devices rely on the movement of electrons, which has limitations in speed and efficiency due to heat generation and energy losses. By exploring wave-like forms of energy such as sound, light, and spin, scientists aim to create more efficient and environmentally friendly devices.
The study published in Physical Review Letters focuses on magnons, which are quasiparticles representing the collective excitation of spins, and phonons, which are acoustic phenomena. By combining these two wave-like forms, researchers hope to unlock new possibilities in information processing technologies. Yunyoung Hwang, the first author of the study, emphasizes the potential of ultrasound and magnets working together to propel advancements in communication technologies. This collaboration of states can result in a novel hybrid state that could lead to groundbreaking progress in information processing.
Although previous attempts have been made to combine sound waves with magnets, researchers faced challenges in achieving a strong coupling. Regular surface sound waves did not align well with magnets, hindering the progress in this area. The breakthrough came when the team introduced shear sound waves, a different type of sound wave that proved to be a better match for magnets. The use of a nano-structured surface acoustic wave resonator played a crucial role in this achievement. This device confined ultrasound waves to a specific location and enhanced shear sound waves, enabling a robust coupling between surface waves and magnets in a Co20Fe60B20 film.
Jorge Puebla, another author of the study, highlights the contribution of their work to the study of coherently coupled magnon-phonon quasiparticles. This research could pave the way for the development of hybrid wave-based information processing devices with minimal losses. By harnessing the potential of magnons and phonons in a synergistic manner, scientists aim to create more efficient and advanced technologies for information processing and communication.
Overall, the successful coupling of magnons and phonons in a thin film at room temperature represents a significant advancement in wave-based information processing. The potential applications of this research extend to various fields, including data storage, communication technologies, and computational devices. As researchers continue to explore the capabilities of wave-like energy forms, we can expect further innovations in the realm of information processing and communication.