Controlling Gilbert damping in a YIG film using nonlocal spin currents

We demonstrate the control of Gilbert damping in 65-nm-thick yttrium iron garnet (YIG) films using a spin-polarized current generated by a direct current through a nanocontact, spin filtered by a thin Co layer. The magnetodynamics of both the YIG and the Co layers can be excited by a pulse-modulated microwave current injected through the nanocontact and the response detected as a lock-in amplified voltage over the device. The spectra show three clear peaks, two associated with the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) in each layer, and an additional Co mode with a higher wave vector proportional to the inverse of the nanocontact diameter. By varying the sign and magnitude of the direct nanocontact current, we can either increase or decrease the linewidth of the YIG FMR peak consistent with additional positive or negative damping being exerted by the nonlocal spin current injected into the YIG film. Our nanocontact approach thus offers an alternative route in the search for auto-oscillations in YIG films.