Bose–Einstein condensation of magnons in ferromagnetic thin films

Abstract

Experimental evidence for Bose–Einstein condensation (BEC) of magnons at room temperature in a thin film of yttrium iron garnet (YIG) excited by parallel pumping is already available and different features of the experimental results have been explained qualitatively [Nature 443, 430 (2006)]. In the present work, we explain quantitatively different aspects of this experimental observation through spin wave treatment. In the case of parallel pumping field, we have developed a formula for the time required for the formation of magnon BEC in a thin film of ferromagnetic material. This relation is found to be in good agreement with known experimental results. In a similar treatment we predict the condition for the formation of BEC of magnons in the case of perpendicular pumping.

Keywords:

• magnon
• spin wave
• parallel pumping
• perpendicular pumping
• Bose–Einstein condensation

Acknowledgments

Financial support from Department of Science and Technology, India is thankfully acknowledged. DJK acknowledges the support of the Welch Foundation of Houston, Texas, via grant BD-0894.