Compression gain of spin wave signals in a magnonic YIG waveguide with thermal non-uniformity

We report on the observation of the compression gain of the signals carried by surface spin waves (MSSWs) in yittrium iron garnet films as a result of non-uniform optical heating of the spin wave medium. Efficient gain takes place if a frequency downshift of the spin wave spectrum induced by the heating is compensated by the corresponding non-uniformity of the bias magnetic field. It is proposed that the effect can be understood in part as an interaction between spin waves and a thermally induced potential well in the sample.