Diffraction of spin waves from a submicrometer-size defect in a microwaveguide

We have experimentally studied the diffraction of spin waves propagating in a Permalloy-film microwaveguide from a submicrometer-sized circular defect. For microwave excitation above the cutoff frequency of the fundamental transverse mode, the defect leads to a frequency dependent reflection of the spin wave. The efficiency of the reflection appears to be dependent on the wavelength of the incident spin wave in a nonmonotonous way. The observed two-dimensional spin wave distribution pattern after the defect can be understood based on the interference of several copropagating modes, suggesting that the defect couples the fundamental mode with higher order modes. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3237168]