The experimental observation of self-generation of two-dimensional, self-focusing nonlinear spin wave packets—spin wave bullets—in an active ring is reported. The ring is composed of a ferrite film with two antennae for excitation and detection of the wave packets, and a microwave amplifier connecting the antennae and closing the ring. Experimental observation has been made by using the time and space resolved Brillouin light scattering technique. The parameters of spin wave bullets self-generated from noise in an active ring are similar to those of bullets coherently excited by external microwave pulses. The observed self-generation process provides unambiguous evidence that wave bullets are intrinsic excitations of a two-dimensional nonlinear medium with dissipation that is focusing in both directions.

• Received 21 September 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.117203