Geometric phase and a nonreciprocal spin wave circular polarizer

Abstract: We show that spin wave acquires a polarization-dependent geometric phase along a cyclic trajectory of non-coplanar magnetizations in antiferromagnets. Specifically, we demonstrate that a cyclic set of 90 degree antiferromagnetic domain walls simultaneously introduce geometric and dynamic phases to spin wave, and thus leads to asymmetric magnitude of overall phase for left-/right-circular components. Based on the polarization-dependent phase, we propose theoretically and confirm by micromagnetic simulations that, a Mach-Zehner interferometer with cyclic 90 degree domain walls in one arm and homogenous domain in the other arm, naturally acts as a spin wave circular polarizer. Moreover, the circular polarizer has intrinsic nonreciprocity, which filters opposite polarization in opposite propagation direction.