Influence of Sputtered ZnO and Al:ZnO Top Layers on Magneto-Optic Responses of Yttrium Iron Garnet Films

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a promising material for combining with magneto-optic (MO) materials because it can propagate stable exciton-polaritons, with velocities considerably lower than that of photons in a vacuum. This study investigated the influence of sputtered ZnO and Al:ZnO top layers on MO respons...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Shinichiro Mito, Satsuki Kikuchi, Yasutoshi Ito, Nana Ota, Mitsuteru Inoue
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2018-10-01
Series:Crystals
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/8/10/396
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Summary:Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a promising material for combining with magneto-optic (MO) materials because it can propagate stable exciton-polaritons, with velocities considerably lower than that of photons in a vacuum. This study investigated the influence of sputtered ZnO and Al:ZnO top layers on MO responses of a bismuth-substituted yttrium iron garnet (Bi:YIG) film. The ZnO top layer modulated the Faraday rotation and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) of the Bi:YIG around the exciton resonance wavelength of ZnO at 369 nm. Furthermore, Al-substituted ZnO, which is a conductive ZnO, also changed the MO effects around the exciton resonance wavelength. These results imply that the exciton-polaritons in ZnO affect the MO interaction, because of their considerably low group velocity. The results suggest potential for controlling the MO response via excitons.
ISSN:2073-4352