Controlling acoustic waves using magneto-elastic Fano resonances

Abstract

We propose and analyze theoretically a class of energy-efficient magneto-elastic devices for analogue signal processing. The signals are carried by transverse acoustic waves while the bias magnetic field controls their scattering from a magneto-elastic slab. By tuning the bias field, one can alter the resonant frequency at which the propagating acoustic waves hybridize with the magnetic modes, and thereby control transmission and reflection coefficients of the acoustic waves. The scattering coefficients exhibit Breit-Wigner/Fano resonant behaviour akin to inelastic scattering in atomic and nuclear physics. Employing oblique incidence geometry, one can effectively enhance the strength of magnetoelastic coupling, and thus countermand the magnetic losses due to the Gilbert damping. We apply our theory to discuss potential benefits and issues in realistic systems and suggest routes to enhance performance of the proposed devices.