Spin-Wave Amplification and Lasing Driven by Inhomogeneous Spin-Transfer Torques

Abstract

We show that an inhomogeneity in the spin-transfer torques in a metallic ferromagnet under suitable conditions strongly amplifies incoming spin waves. Moreover, at nonzero temperatures the incoming thermally occupied spin waves will be amplified such that the region with inhomogeneous spin-transfer torques emits spin waves spontaneously, thus constituting a spin-wave laser. We determine the spin-wave scattering amplitudes for a simplified model and setup, and show under which conditions the amplification and lasing occurs. Our results are interpreted in terms of a so-called black-hole laser, and could facilitate the field of magnonics, which aims to utilize spin waves in logic and data-processing devices.