Independent Tuning of Surface Acoustic-Waves and Spin-Waves via Buffer-Layer Engineering in Co2FeGe Heusler Thin Films

Abstract

Understanding and controlling acoustic and spin-wave excitations in magnetic thin films is critical for the development of magnonic and spin-acoustic devices. We report on the use of Cr and W buffer layers to independently modify the acoustic and magnetic excitations in Co2FeGe full-Heusler thin films grown on MgO(001). Using Brillouin light scattering (BLS) spectroscopy and ferromagnetic resonance (FMR), we probed Rayleigh and Sezawa surface acoustic waves (SAWs) alongside Damon-Eshbach and perpendicular standing spin-wave (PSSW) modes. Our results show that acoustic dispersion depends strongly on the buffer material; W-buffered films exhibit a pronounced 16% reduction in Rayleigh SAW frequency compared to buffer-free films, primarily due to mass loading and acoustic impedance shifts. While the buffer layers significantly shift acoustic frequencies, they simultaneously modify the dynamic magnetic response (increasing spin-wave group velocity by ~34%) through different physical mechanisms. Finite-element simulations show excellent agreement with the experimental acoustic data. These findings demonstrate that buffer-layer engineering is an effective strategy for the independent tailoring of elastic and magnetic excitations, providing a versatile platform for hybrid spin-acoustic technologies.