Magnetic Fields Significantly Impact Sound Wave Movements in a Revolutionary Discovery

By experimenting with nanoscale magnetic materials, researchers have uncovered an asymmetric diffraction pattern in surface acoustic waves (SAWs)—a phenomenon previously seen only in optics. This breakthrough reveals new ways to manipulate sound waves, potentially transforming classical and quantum communication.

A New Discovery in Acoustic Wave Propagation

A team from Tohoku University, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, and the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science has identified a novel way SAWs move through materials, which could drive advancements in communication technology.

SAWs, essential in modern communication devices, travel along material surfaces like ripples on water. They play a key role in mobile phone frequency filters by converting electrical signals into vibrations. Understanding SAW behavior is crucial for next-generation technologies.

Using advanced nanofabrication, researchers created a structured array of nanoscale magnetic materials, acting as a specialized grating for SAWs. Instead of a symmetrical diffraction pattern, they observed a completely unexpected “nonreciprocal diffraction,” where SAWs interacted asymmetrically with the material.

“This phenomenon was previously seen only in optics,” notes Yoichi Nii. “Confirming it in acoustics is very exciting.”

Transforming Communication Technologies

Theoretical analysis revealed that this asymmetry stems from SAWs’ interaction with the magnetic material’s angular momentum. This discovery could lead to precise SAW control using magnetic fields, paving the way for innovative acoustic devices in both classical and quantum communication.

The study was published in Physical Review Letters on January 14, 2025.

Read Original Article: Scitechdaily

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