Micro-Brillouin Light Scattering Spectroscopy of Magnetic Nanostructures

We describe a new technique, micro-Brillouin light scattering spectroscopy, for investigation of spin wave dynamics in magnetic nanostructures. The technique offers advantages for studies of small magnetic squares with closure domain structure and magnetic nanoelements similar to those used in magnetic random access memory. The technique is particularly effective in two-dimensional mapping of spin waves excited by a single nanocontact due to the spin torque transfer effect.