Coherent pumping of high momentum magnons by light

Abstract: We propose to excite a large number of coherent magnons with high momentum in optical cavities. This is achieved by two counterpropagating optical modes that are detuned by the frequency of a selected magnon, similar to stimulated Raman scattering. In sub-mm size yttrium iron garnet spheres, a mW laser input power generates 10^6-10^8 coherent magnons. The large magnon population enhances Brillouin light scattering, a probe suitable to access their quantum properties.