Experimental parameters, combined dynamics, and nonlinearity of a magnonic-opto-electronic oscillator (MOEO).

We report the construction and characterization of a comprehensive magnonic-opto-electronic oscillator (MOEO) system based on 1550-nm photonics and yttrium iron garnet (YIG) magnonics. The system exhibits a rich and synergistic parameter space because of the ability to control individual photonic, electronic, and magnonic components. Taking advantage of the spin wave dispersion of YIG, the frequency self-generation as well as the related nonlinear processes becomes sensitive to the external magnetic field. Besides being known as a band-pass filter and a delay element, the YIG delay line possesses spin wave modes that can be controlled to mix with the optoelectronic modes to generate higher-order harmonic beating modes. With the high sensitivity and external tunability, the MOEO system may find usefulness in sensing applications in magnetism and spintronics beyond optoelectronics and photonics.