New class of garnet nanocomposites for use in magnetic photonic crystals prepared by RF magnetron co-sputtering

A new class of magneto-optic garnet nanocomposite materials is prepared using two Bi-substituted iron garnet materials of composition types (Bi,Dy)₃(Fe,Ga)₅O₁₂ and Bi₃Fe₅O₁₂. A composition adjustment approach is applied by varying the radio frequency (RF) powers driving each sputtering target during the deposition process. This new class of nanocomposite materials exhibits simultaneously high specific Faraday rotation, MO figure of merit, and effective uniaxial magnetic anisotropy after being crystallized through optimized annealing processes. We demonstrate experimentally that the excellent combination of materials´ properties obtained in this garnet nanocomposite is particularly advantageous for developing magneto-photonic crystals as well as optical sensors and isolators.