Isofrequency spin-wave imaging using color center magnetometry for magnon spintronics
Samuel Mañas-Valero, Yasmin C. Doedes, Artem Bondarenko, Michael Borst, Samer Kurdi, Thomas Poirier, James H. Edgar, Vincent Jacques, Yaroslav M. Blanter, Toeno van der Sar
Magnon spintronics aims to harness spin waves in magnetic films for information technologies. Color center magnetometry is a promising tool for imaging spin waves, using electronic spins associated with atomic defects in solid-state materials as sensors. However, two main limitations persist: the magnetic fields required for spin-wave control detune the sensor-spin detection frequency, and this frequency is further restricted by the color center nature. Here, we overcome these limitations by decoupling the sensor spins from the spin-wave control fields –selecting color centers with intrinsic anisotropy axes orthogonal to the film magnetization– and by using color centers in diamond and hexagonal boron nitride to operate at complementary frequencies. We demonstrate isofrequency imaging of field-controlled spin waves in a magnetic half-plane and show how intrinsic magnetic anisotropies trigger bistable spin textures that govern spin-wave transport at device edges. Our results establish color center magnetometry as a versatile tool for advancing spin-wave technologies.
Figures
45 panels with data across 5 figures. Each panel page shows the plot, its columns and its files; each data.csv begins with a header naming the paper, the panel, the source, the license and the provenance route.
Fig. 1
panel (e): Optically detected ESR spectrum of the NV spins: photoluminescence PL (counts/s) against microwave frequency $f$ (GHz), with microwave driving (MW$_{\mathrm{on}}$, green) and without (MW$_{\mathrm{off}}$, red). The print gives PL in $10^4$ counts/s with error bars and a right-hand axis of PL$_{\mathrm{MW on}}$/PL$_{\mathrm{MW off}}$; neither is shown here. data.csv
panel (f): Optically detected ESR spectrum of the V$_{\mathrm{B}}$ spins: photoluminescence PL (counts/s) against microwave frequency $f$ (GHz), with microwave driving (MW$_{\mathrm{on}}$, green) and without (MW$_{\mathrm{off}}$, red). The print gives PL in $10^4$ counts/s with error bars and a right-hand axis of PL$_{\mathrm{MW on}}$/PL$_{\mathrm{MW off}}$; neither is shown here. data.csv
Fig. 2
panel (c): ESR contrast map $C$ (%) of the V$_{\mathrm{B}}$ sensor flake on the permalloy film and microstrip at $f = 3.52$ GHz and $B = 1.6$ mT, against position ($\mu$m). Axes replace the printed scale bar; the horizontal axis is $Y$, the vertical axis $X$. Every third pixel along each axis is shown. data.csv
panel (d-1): Spin-wave contrast $C$ (%) averaged along $Y$ against position $X$ ($\mu$m), V$_{\mathrm{B}}$ sensor at $f = 3.52$ GHz and $B = 1.6$ mT (top panel of (d)). The shaded band is $\pm 1$ standard deviation; dashed lines mark the microstrip edges. data.csv
panel (d-2): Spin-wave map: contrast $C$ (%) against position $X$ and $Y$ ($\mu$m), V$_{\mathrm{B}}$ sensor at $f = 3.52$ GHz and $B = 1.6$ mT (bottom panel of (d)). data.csv
panel (e-1): Spin-wave contrast $C$ (%) averaged along $Y$ against position $X$ ($\mu$m), NV sensor at $f = 2.87$ GHz and $B = 1.6$ mT (top panel of (e)). The shaded band is $\pm 1$ standard deviation; dashed lines mark the microstrip edges. data.csv
panel (e-2): Spin-wave map: contrast $C$ (%) against position $X$ and $Y$ ($\mu$m), NV sensor at $f = 2.87$ GHz and $B = 1.6$ mT (bottom panel of (e)). data.csv
panel (f-1): Measured 1D spin-wave map against field: contrast $C$ (%) against position $X$ ($\mu$m) and in-plane field $B$ (mT), V$_{\mathrm{B}}$ sensor at $f = 3.44$ GHz (left panel of (f)). Shown as deposited; it does not line up with the print: $X$ runs 5 to 97 $\mu$m (print about $-38$ to 37) and $C$ 2.7 to 9.8 % (printed colour bar 0.3 to 8.3 %). data.csv
panel (g-1): Measured 1D spin-wave map against field: contrast $C$ (%) against position $X$ ($\mu$m) and in-plane field $B$ (mT), NV sensor at $f = 2.87$ GHz (left panel of (g)). The calculated right panel is not shown. data.csv
panel (h): Spin-wave length $\lambda$ ($\mu$m) against field $B$ (mT) for the NV sensor at $f = 2.87$ GHz (dark blue) and the V$_{\mathrm{B}}$ sensor at $f = 3.44$ GHz (red): measured points with error bars (open circles) and the theory curves (lines). data.csv
Fig. 3
panel (c-1): Spin-wave contrast $C$ (%) averaged along the vertical direction against position $X$ ($\mu$m) at field angle $\varphi = 0^\circ$, $B = 0.98$ mT (top of the pair in (c)). The shaded band is $\pm 1$ standard deviation. data.csv
panel (c-2): Spin-wave contrast $C$ (%) averaged along the vertical direction against position $X$ ($\mu$m) at field angle $\varphi = 45^\circ$, $B = 0.98$ mT (top of the pair in (c)). The shaded band is $\pm 1$ standard deviation. data.csv
panel (c-3): Spin-wave map: contrast $C$ (%) against position $X$ and $Y$ ($\mu$m) at field angle $\varphi = 0^\circ$, $B = 0.98$ mT (bottom of the pair in (c)). Axes in micrometres replace the printed scale bar. data.csv
panel (c-4): Spin-wave map: contrast $C$ (%) against position $X$ and $Y$ ($\mu$m) at field angle $\varphi = 45^\circ$, $B = 0.98$ mT (bottom of the pair in (c)). Axes in micrometres replace the printed scale bar. data.csv
panel (c-5): Spin-wave contrast $C$ (%) averaged along the vertical direction against position $X$ ($\mu$m) at field angle $\varphi = 90^\circ$, $B = 0.98$ mT (top of the pair in (c)). The shaded band is $\pm 1$ standard deviation. data.csv
panel (c-6): Spin-wave contrast $C$ (%) averaged along the vertical direction against position $X$ ($\mu$m) at field angle $\varphi = 135^\circ$, $B = 0.98$ mT (top of the pair in (c)). The shaded band is $\pm 1$ standard deviation. data.csv
panel (c-7): Spin-wave map: contrast $C$ (%) against position $X$ and $Y$ ($\mu$m) at field angle $\varphi = 90^\circ$, $B = 0.98$ mT (bottom of the pair in (c)). Axes in micrometres replace the printed scale bar. data.csv
panel (c-8): Spin-wave map: contrast $C$ (%) against position $X$ and $Y$ ($\mu$m) at field angle $\varphi = 135^\circ$, $B = 0.98$ mT (bottom of the pair in (c)). Axes in micrometres replace the printed scale bar. data.csv
panel (c-9): Spin-wave contrast $C$ (%) averaged along the vertical direction against position $X$ ($\mu$m) at field angle $\varphi = 180^\circ$, $B = 0.98$ mT (top of the pair in (c)). The shaded band is $\pm 1$ standard deviation. data.csv
panel (c-10): Spin-wave contrast $C$ (%) averaged along the vertical direction against position $X$ ($\mu$m) at field angle $\varphi = 225^\circ$, $B = 0.98$ mT (top of the pair in (c)). The shaded band is $\pm 1$ standard deviation. data.csv
panel (c-11): Spin-wave map: contrast $C$ (%) against position $X$ and $Y$ ($\mu$m) at field angle $\varphi = 180^\circ$, $B = 0.98$ mT (bottom of the pair in (c)). Axes in micrometres replace the printed scale bar. data.csv
panel (c-12): Spin-wave map: contrast $C$ (%) against position $X$ and $Y$ ($\mu$m) at field angle $\varphi = 225^\circ$, $B = 0.98$ mT (bottom of the pair in (c)). Axes in micrometres replace the printed scale bar. data.csv
panel (c-13): Spin-wave contrast $C$ (%) averaged along the vertical direction against position $X$ ($\mu$m) at field angle $\varphi = 270^\circ$, $B = 0.98$ mT (top of the pair in (c)). The shaded band is $\pm 1$ standard deviation. data.csv
panel (c-14): Spin-wave contrast $C$ (%) averaged along the vertical direction against position $X$ ($\mu$m) at field angle $\varphi = 315^\circ$, $B = 0.98$ mT (top of the pair in (c)). The shaded band is $\pm 1$ standard deviation. data.csv
panel (c-15): Spin-wave map: contrast $C$ (%) against position $X$ and $Y$ ($\mu$m) at field angle $\varphi = 270^\circ$, $B = 0.98$ mT (bottom of the pair in (c)). Axes in micrometres replace the printed scale bar. data.csv
panel (c-16): Spin-wave map: contrast $C$ (%) against position $X$ and $Y$ ($\mu$m) at field angle $\varphi = 315^\circ$, $B = 0.98$ mT (bottom of the pair in (c)). Axes in micrometres replace the printed scale bar. data.csv
panel (d-1): Spin-wave maps against field angle: contrast $C$ (%) against position $X$ ($\mu$m) and in-plane field angle $\varphi$ (deg) at $B = 0.98$ mT (left panel of (d)). data.csv
panel (d-2): Fourier amplitude FFT Amp. (a.u.) of the spin-wave maps against wavenumber $k$ ($\mu$m$^{-1}$) and field angle $\varphi$ (deg) at $B = 0.98$ mT (right panel of (d)). The view opens on the printed $k$ window; the data also cover negative and larger $k$. data.csv
panel (e): Spin-wave length $\lambda$ ($\mu$m) against in-plane field angle $\varphi$ (deg) at $B = 0.98$ mT on polar axes, the angle counterclockwise from $0^\circ$ at the right: measured points with error bars (Data) and the Landau-Lifshitz calculation (Model, red line). Radial ticks run along one spoke where the print labels a full diameter. data.csv
panel (f): Spin-wave length $\lambda$ ($\mu$m) against in-plane field angle $\varphi$ (deg) at $B = 0.39$ mT on polar axes, the angle counterclockwise from $0^\circ$ at the right: measured points with error bars (Data) and the Landau-Lifshitz calculation (Model, red line). Radial ticks run along one spoke where the print labels a full diameter; the printed dashed line at the anisotropy angle is not drawn. data.csv
Fig. 4
panel (a-1): Spin-wave maps against field magnitude: contrast $C$ (%) against position $X$ ($\mu$m) and field $B$ (mT), field at $\varphi = 90^\circ$ ($k \perp B$, Damon-Eshbach), left panel of (a). data.csv
panel (a-2): Fourier amplitude FFT Amp. (a.u.) of the spin-wave maps against wavenumber $k$ ($\mu$m$^{-1}$) and field $B$ (mT), $k \perp B$ (right panel of (a)). The view opens on the printed $k$ window; the data also cover negative and larger $k$. data.csv
panel (b-1): Spin-wave maps against field magnitude: contrast $C$ (%) against position $X$ ($\mu$m) and field $B$ (mT), field at $\varphi = 180^\circ$ ($k \parallel B$, curling state), left panel of (b). data.csv
panel (b-2): Fourier amplitude FFT Amp. (a.u.) of the spin-wave maps against wavenumber $k$ ($\mu$m$^{-1}$) and field $B$ (mT), $k \parallel B$ (right panel of (b)). The view opens on the printed $k$ window; the data also cover negative and larger $k$. data.csv
panel (c): Spin-wave length $\lambda$ ($\mu$m) against field strength $B$ (mT) for $k \perp B$ (blue) and $k \parallel B$ (red): points with error bars from the maps of (a) and (b), and the fits (solid lines). data.csv
Fig. 5
panel (a-1): Spin-wave contrast $C$ (%) averaged along $Y$ against position $X$ ($\mu$m) at $B = 0.98$ mT after counterclockwise rotation of the bias field (left top panel of (a)). The shaded band is $\pm 1$ standard deviation; the printed shading of the microstrip is not drawn. data.csv
panel (a-2): Spin-wave contrast $C$ (%) averaged along $Y$ against position $X$ ($\mu$m) at $B = 0.98$ mT after clockwise rotation of the bias field (right top panel of (a)). The shaded band is $\pm 1$ standard deviation; the printed shading of the microstrip is not drawn. data.csv
panel (a-3): Spin-wave map: contrast $C$ (%) against position $X$ and $Y$ ($\mu$m) at $B = 0.98$ mT, $f_{\mathrm{NV}} = 2.87$ GHz, after counterclockwise rotation of the bias field (left bottom panel of (a)). data.csv
panel (a-4): Spin-wave map: contrast $C$ (%) against position $X$ and $Y$ ($\mu$m) at $B = 0.98$ mT, $f_{\mathrm{NV}} = 2.87$ GHz, after clockwise rotation of the bias field (right bottom panel of (a)). data.csv
panel (b-1): Static field $B_z$ (mT) averaged along $Y$ over $|Y| \le 8$ $\mu$m against position $X$ ($\mu$m) after counterclockwise rotation of the applied field (left top panel of (b)). The shaded band is $\pm 1$ standard deviation; the printed shading of the microstrip is not drawn. data.csv
panel (b-2): Static field $B_z$ (mT) averaged along $Y$ over $|Y| \le 8$ $\mu$m against position $X$ ($\mu$m) after clockwise rotation of the applied field (right top panel of (b)). The shaded band is $\pm 1$ standard deviation; the printed shading of the microstrip is not drawn. data.csv
panel (b-3): Map of the static field $B_z$ (mT) against position $X$ and $Y$ ($\mu$m) after counterclockwise rotation of the applied field (left bottom panel of (b)). data.csv
panel (b-4): Map of the static field $B_z$ (mT) against position $X$ and $Y$ ($\mu$m) after clockwise rotation of the applied field (right bottom panel of (b)). data.csv
panel (c-1): Computed out-of-plane field $B_z$ (mT) of the simulated spin texture against position $X$ ($\mu$m) for counterclockwise rotation of the applied field (left top panel of (c)). The printed shading of the microstrip is not drawn. data.csv
panel (c-2): Computed out-of-plane field $B_z$ (mT) of the simulated spin texture against position $X$ ($\mu$m) for clockwise rotation of the applied field (right top panel of (c)). The printed shading of the microstrip is not drawn. data.csv
Cite
Samuel Mañas-Valero, Yasmin C. Doedes, Artem Bondarenko, Michael Borst, Samer Kurdi, Thomas Poirier, James H. Edgar, Vincent Jacques, Yaroslav M. Blanter, Toeno van der Sar. Isofrequency spin-wave imaging using color center magnetometry for magnon spintronics. Nat. Commun. 17, 379 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-67056-1
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