Surface Acoustic Wave Induced Magnetic Switching

We report on the use of Surface Acoustic Waves (SAW) to switch the magnetization direction of lithographically patterned 40um by 10um cobalt rectangles between two titanium inter-digital transducers (IDTs) on Y-cut LiNbO$_{3}$. Easy and hard axis magnetization loops measured using the magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) show the expected in-plane shape anisotropy. After magnetic saturation along the long easy axis, the magnetic field is turned off and the IDT's are excited at the fundamental resonance frequency, 91.5 MHz, producing a SAW that travels across the patterned Co magnetic structure producing a fast time dependent mechanical strain parallel to the short hard axis of the Co. Magneto-elastic coupling results in a rotation of the magnetization into the hard axis direction, measured by in-plane MOKE measurements along the hard axis direction. Both dc MOKE and high frequency MOKE show, as expected, a definite turn on voltage followed by an asymptotic approach to saturation. Support from NSF MRSEC (DMR-0820521), UCARE, and NFC-Minnesota.