Moving Abrikosov vortex lattices generate sub-40-nm magnons

authored by: Oleksandr V. Dobrovolskiy, Qi Wang, Denis Yu Vodolazov, Roland Sachser, Michael Huth, Sebastian Knauer, Alexander I. Buzdin
Abstract: Magnons, the quasi-particles of spin waves, are promising candidates for developing wave-based computing and hybrid quantum technologies. However, generating short-wavelength magnons through microwave excitation becomes increasingly challenging because the excitation efficiency decreases as the antenna size shrinks. Here we demonstrate an alternative approach and generate magnons in a Co–Fe strip using magnetic flux quanta, that is, Abrikosov vortices, moving in an adjacent Nb–C superconductor at velocities exceeding 1 km s⁻¹. The moving vortex lattice acts on the magnetic layer via both static and dynamic stray fields. Our experiments showcase the unidirectional excitation of sub-40-nm wavelength magnons and their coherent interaction with the moving vortices. In turn, the Nb–C sustains its low-resistive state because the magnon creation removes energy from the superconductor. This discovery enables high-speed on-chip electrically driven magnon generation and validates an alternative means of magnon excitation. Our approach could be adapted to other wave excitations, such as surface acoustic waves, for integration into advanced electronic and hybrid quantum systems.
External Organisation(s): Technische Universität Braunschweig
Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Goethe University Frankfurt
University of Vienna
Universite de Bordeaux
Type: Article
Journal: Nature nanotechnology
ISSN: 1748-3387
Publication date: 16.10.2025
Publication status: Accepted/In press
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Bioengineering, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Biomedical Engineering, General Materials Science, Condensed Matter Physics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-025-02024-w (Access: Open)

BibTeX

@article{9032d7ceeba94f0c9ae09e06a4ae0a0a,
title = "Moving Abrikosov vortex lattices generate sub-40-nm magnons",
abstract = "Magnons, the quasi-particles of spin waves, are promising candidates for developing wave-based computing and hybrid quantum technologies. However, generating short-wavelength magnons through microwave excitation becomes increasingly challenging because the excitation efficiency decreases as the antenna size shrinks. Here we demonstrate an alternative approach and generate magnons in a Co–Fe strip using magnetic flux quanta, that is, Abrikosov vortices, moving in an adjacent Nb–C superconductor at velocities exceeding 1 km s−1. The moving vortex lattice acts on the magnetic layer via both static and dynamic stray fields. Our experiments showcase the unidirectional excitation of sub-40-nm wavelength magnons and their coherent interaction with the moving vortices. In turn, the Nb–C sustains its low-resistive state because the magnon creation removes energy from the superconductor. This discovery enables high-speed on-chip electrically driven magnon generation and validates an alternative means of magnon excitation. Our approach could be adapted to other wave excitations, such as surface acoustic waves, for integration into advanced electronic and hybrid quantum systems.",
author = "Dobrovolskiy, {Oleksandr V.} and Qi Wang and Vodolazov, {Denis Yu} and Roland Sachser and Michael Huth and Sebastian Knauer and Buzdin, {Alexander I.}",
note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} The Author(s) 2025.",
year = "2025",
month = oct,
day = "16",
doi = "10.1038/s41565-025-02024-w",
language = "English",
journal = "Nature nanotechnology",
issn = "1748-3387",
publisher = "Nature Research",
}