Light-scattering observation of anomalous parametric spin-wave character in subsidiary absorption

Abstract

The technique of Brillouin light scattering has been used for the characterization, in terms of wave number and direction of propagation, of parametric spin waves associated with subsidiary absorption in thin films of yttrium iron garnet. Measurements at 7.99, 8.47, and 9.90 GHz have revealed a spin-wave character consistent with theory, with two notable exceptions. First, the data show no evidence for a predicted flip in the azimuthal propagation angle. Second, the measured magnon wave numbers at high fields are inconsistent with the theoretical values. The wave number and polar angle results imply that the change to low-k spin waves is not a discontinuous transition as indicated by the model.