Nonlinear phase shifts induced by pumping spin waves in magnonic crystals

A nonlinear phase shift of low-power spin waves (SWs) induced by a high-power pumping SW excited both inside and outside the magnonic band-gaps of a magnonic crystal has been studied. The magnonic crystal with spatially periodic thickness is fabricated from an yttrium iron garnet film by chemical etching. The results show that the phase shift of the low-power SWs can be effectively controlled by variation of power level of the pumping SW. This induced nonlinear phase shift is weakened if the pump frequency lies in the magnonic bandgap. The data obtained are well explained by contradirectional coupling of the high-power forward and reflected spin waves. A theoretical model for this effect is presented. Our findings are important for the further progress in SW computing.