Ferrite-piezoelectric light modulator with electric and magnetic control of magnetization

The influence of mechanical stresses developed in a piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) plate on the domain structure of mechanically coupled epitaxial yttrium iron garnet (YIG) film has been studied. The application of electric voltage to the piezoelectric plate leads to magnetoelastic variations in the anisotropy of the garnet film, which is manifested by reorientation of the magnetization vector from the direction perpendicular to the film plane to a direction parallel to this plane. Using this effect, it is possible to perform magneto-optical modulation of light transmitted through the film. Estimations of the influence of film parameters on the orientation of magnetization and characteristics of light beam allow the optimum parameters of the composite structure for various modulation regimes to be determined.