Abstract

This chapter begins with a brief overview of the historical development of the theory of spin waves in magnetic nanostructures. State-of-the-art calculations for dipole–exchange spin waves in a ferromagnetic nanowire and a hollow ferromagnetic nanowire, both of cylindrical cross-sections, are presented. Additionally, the treatment of collective spin-wave modes in ordered or disordered nanowire arrays, within the multiple scattering framework, is discussed. Here we adopt a tutorial style approach, interspersed with examples, to illustrate how the calculations are performed. In particular, we show how the frequencies of spin waves and the corresponding eigenmode profiles are determined. The aim is to provide a solid foundation in concepts and techniques that will enable the reader to make his own independent calculations.