Phase control of spin waves based on a magnetic defect in a one-dimensional magnonic crystal

Magnonic crystals are interesting for spin-wave based data processing. We investigate one-dimensional magnonic crystals (1D MCs) consisting of bistable Co20Fe60B20 nanostripes separated by 75 nm wide air gaps. By adjusting the magnetic history, we program a single stripe of opposed magnetization in an otherwise saturated 1D MC. Its influence on propagating spin waves is studied via broadband microwave spectroscopy. Depending on an in-plane bias magnetic field, we observe spin wave phase shifts of up to almost π and field-controlled attenuation attributed to the reversed nanostripe. Our findings are of importance for magnetologics, where the control of spin wave phases is essential