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Researchers present a method of phase modulation and phase-shift keying for spin-torque nano-oscillators (STNOs), and demonstrate transmission of a voice signal (telephony) with their STNO-based gear. The key elements of the proposed method are the ability of an STNO to be synchronized by an external signal, and to shift its phase relative to the source's phase according to an additional control signal. These properties allow not only control of the phase, but also reduction of phase noise, which is a main issue for all oscillators with nanoscale dimensions. The results comprise a significant advance for wireless data and signal communication with nano-oscillators.

et al., Spintronic devices exploit the spin, as well as the charge, of electrons and could bring new capabilities to the microelectronics industry. However, in order for spintronic devices to meet the ever-increasing demands of the industry, innovation in terms of materials, processes and circuits are required. Here, we review recent developments in spintronics that could soon have an impact on the microelectronics and information technology industry. We highlight and explore four key areas: magnetic memories, magnetic sensors, radio-frequency and microwave devices, and logic and non-Boolean devices. We also discuss the challenges—at both the device and the system level—that need be addressed in order to integrate spintronic materials and functionalities into mainstream microelectronic platforms.

The miniaturization of complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) devices becomes increasingly difficult due to fundamental limitations and the increase of leakage currents. Large research efforts are devoted to find alternative concepts that allow for a larger data-density and lower power consumption than conventional semiconductor approaches. Spin waves have been identified as a potential technology that can complement and outperform CMOS in complex logic applications, profiting from the fact that these waves enable wave computing on the nanoscale. The practical application of spin waves, however, requires the demonstration of scalable, CMOS compatible spin-wave detection schemes in material systems compatible with standard spintronics as well as semiconductor circuitry. Here, we report on the wave-vector independent detection of short-waved spin waves with wavelengths down to 150 nm by the inverse spin Hall effect in spin-wave waveguides made from ultrathin Ta/Co8Fe72B20/MgO. These findings open up...

We investigate the possibility of realizing a spintronic memristive device based on the dependence of the tunnel conductance on the relative angle between the magnetization of the two magnetic electrodes in in-plane magnetized tunnel junctions. For this, it is necessary to design a free layer whose magnetization can be stabilized along several or even any in-plane direction between the parallel and the antiparallel magnetic configurations. We experimentally show that this can be achieved by exploiting antiferromagnet-ferromagnet exchange interactions in a regime where the antiferromagnet is thin enough to induce enhanced coercivity and no exchange bias. The frustration of exchange interactions at the interfaces due to competing ferro- and antiferromagnetic interactions is at the origin of an isotropic dissipation mechanism yielding isotropic coercivity. From a modeling point of view, it is shown that this isotropic dissipation can be described by a dry friction term in the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation. The influence of this dry friction term on the magnetization dynamics of an in-plane magnetized layer submitted to a rotating in-plane field is investigated both analytically and numerically. The possibility to control the free layer magnetization orientation in an in-plane magnetized magnetic tunnel junction by using the spin transfer torque from an additional perpendicular polarizer is also investigated through macrospin simulation. It is shown that the memristor function can be achieved by the injection of current pulses through the stack in the presence of an in-plane static field transverse to the reference layer magnetization, the aim of which is to limit the magnetization rotation between 0{\deg} and 180{\deg}., Comment: 24 pages, 9 figures

We report a ferromagnetic resonance study of an electrically insulating magnetic bi-layer consisting of two yttrium iron garnet (YIG) films epitaxially grown on both sides of a non-magnetic gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) slab. We show that standing transverse sound waves couple the coherent magnetization dynamics of the two YIG films half millimeter apart through the magnetoelastic interaction, periodically modulating the microwave absorption as a function of frequency. Constructive and destructive interferences between the dynamics of the two YIG layers is observed. This long range coherent coupling by phononic angular momentum currents through non-magnetic dielectric waveguide brings new functionalities to insulator hybrid spin circuits and devices.

Low frequency noise close to the carrier remains little explored in spin torque nano oscillators. However, it is crucial to investigate as it limits the oscillator's frequency stability. This work addresses the low offset frequency flicker noise of a TMR-based spin-torque vortex oscillator in the regime of large amplitude steady oscillations. We first phenomenologically expand the nonlinear auto-oscillator theory aiming to reveal the properties of this noise. We then present a thorough experimental study of the oscillator's $1/f$ flicker noise and discuss the results based on the theoretical predictions. Hereby, we connect the oscillator's nonlinear dynamics with the concept of flicker noise and furthermore refer to the influence of a standard $1/f$ noise description based on the Hooge formula, taking into account the non-constant magnetic oscillation volume, which contributes to the magnetoresistance., 10 pages

Integration of Spin Torque Nano-Oscillators STNO's in conventional microwave circuits means that the devices have to meet certain specifications. One of the most important criteria is the phase noise, being the key parameter to evaluate the performance and define possible applications. Phase locking several oscillators together has been suggested as a possible means to decrease phase noise and consequently, the linewidth. In this work we present experiments, numerical simulations and an analytic model to describe the effects of thermal noise in the injection locking of a tunnel junction based STNO. The analytics show the relation of the intrinsic parameters of the STNO with the phase noise level, opening the path to tailor the spectral characteristics by the magnetic configuration. Experiments and simulations demonstrate that in the in-plane magnetized structure, while the frequency is locked, much higher reference currents are needed to reduce the noise by phase locking. Moreover, our analysis shows that it is possible to control the phase noise by the reference microwave current (IRF) and that it can be further reduced by increasing the bias current (IDC) of the oscillator, keeping the reference current in feasible limits for applications. Fil: Tortarolo, Marina del Carmen. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Investigaciones y Aplicaciones no Nucleares. Gerencia de Física (Centro Atómico Constituyentes); Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Lacoste, B.. International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory; Portugal. Universite Grenoble Alpes; Francia Fil: Hem, J.. Universite Grenoble Alpes; Francia Fil: Dieudonné, C.. Universite Grenoble Alpes; Francia Fil: Cyrille, M. C.. Universite Grenoble Alpes; Francia Fil: Katine, J.A.. Hitachi Global Storage Technologies; Estados Unidos Fil: Mauri, D.. Hitachi Global Storage Technologies; Estados Unidos Fil: Zeltser, A.. Hitachi Global Storage Technologies; Estados Unidos Fil: Buda Prejbeanu, L.D.. Universite Grenoble Alpes; Francia Fil: Ebels, U.. Universite Grenoble Alpes; Francia

The conditions of field and voltage for inducing steady state excitations in fully perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions (pMTJs), adapted for memory applications, were numerically investigated by the resolution of the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation in the macrospin approach. Both damping-like and the field-like spin transfer torque terms were taken into account in the simulations, as well as the contribution of the second order uniaxial anisotropy term (K2), which has been recently revealed in MgO-based pMTJs. An in-plane applied magnetic field balances the out of plane symmetry of the pMTJ and allows the signal detection. Using this model, we assessed the states of the free layer magnetization as a function of strength of K2 and polar theta_H angle of the applied field (varied from 90 to 60 deg.). There are two stable states, with the magnetization in-plane or out of plane of the layer, and two dynamic states with self-sustained oscillations, called in-plane precession state (IPP) or out of plane precession state (OPP). The IPP mode, with oscillation frequencies up to 7 GHz, appears only for positive voltages if theta_H = 90 deg. However, it shows a more complex distribution when the field is slightly tilted out of plane. The OPP mode is excited only if K2 is considered and reaches a maximum oscillation frequency of 15 GHz. Large areas of dynamic states with high frequencies are obtained for strong values of the field-like torque and K2, when applying a slightly tilted external field toward the out of plane direction. The non-zero temperature does not modify the phase diagrams, but reduces drastically the power spectral density peak amplitudes., 31 pages with figures and figure captions, 5 figures, article

Spin transfer magnetization dynamics have led to considerable advances in Spintronics, including opportunities for new nanoscale radiofrequency devices. Among the new functionalities is the radiofrequency (rf) detection using the spin diode rectification effect in spin torque nano-oscillators (STNOs). In this study, we focus on a new phenomenon, the resonant expulsion of a magnetic vortex in STNOs. This effect is observed when the excitation vortex radius, due to spin torques associated to rf currents, becomes larger than the actual radius of the STNO. This vortex expulsion is leading to a sharp variation of the voltage at the resonant frequency. Here we show that the detected frequency can be tuned by different parameters; furthermore, a simultaneous detection of different rf signals can be achieved by real time measurements with several STNOs having different diameters. This result constitutes a first proof-of-principle towards the development of a new kind of nanoscale rf threshold detector.

International audience; A comprehensive numerical study of the spin toque driven dynamic states is presented for a synthetic ferrimagnet. For this, the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation has been solved simultaneously for the two coupled layers of the synthetic ferrimagnet in a macrospin approach including the spin transfer torque term from an external polarizer for one of them. It is shown that a large variety of dynamic modes (in-plane precession (IPP) and out-of-plane precession) can be established, upon varying the strength of the exchange bias field that pins one of the layers of the SyF as well as the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida interlayer coupling strength. The current—field state diagrams are presented as well as the frequency current dependencies of the most important mode which is the IPP mode. A characteristic feature of the IPP mode for the coupled system (as compared to single layer excitations) is the change, increase or decrease of the frequency, with current upon increasing field. It is shown that this strongly depends on the asymmetry of the internal fields that the two layers experience, upon varying either their thickness or the exchange bias field.

In this manuscript the general concepts of spin wave theory are adapted to the dynamics of a self-polarized system based on two layers coupled via interlayer exchange (conservative coupling) and mutual spin torque (dissipative coupling). An analytical description of the non-linear dynamics is proposed and validated through numerical simulations. In contrast to the single layer model, the phase equation of the coupled system has a contribution coming from the dissipative part of the LLGS equation. It is shown that this is a major contribution to the frequency mandatory to describe well the most basic features of the dynamics of coupled systems. Using the proposed model a specific feature of coupled dynamics is addressed: the redshift to blueshift transition observed in the frequency current dependence of this kind of exchange coupled systems upon increasing the applied field. It is found that the blueshift regime can only occur in a region of field where the two linear eigenmodes contribute equally to the steady state mode (i.e. high mode hybridization). Finally, a general perturbed Hamiltonian equation for the coupled system is proposed., 16 pages, 7 figues

Ultrathin films of the heavy elements Pd and Pt are widely used in spintronics as converters between charge and spin currents and vice versa. One open question has been whether the strongly paramagnetic nature of these elements influences the interconversion process. The authors show, using a combination of ferromagnetic resonance and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism measurements, that a related spin current absorption process (spin pumping damping) responds to the presence of ferromagnetic order in the polarizable Pd and Pt layers. They observe a change in the thickness dependence of spin current absorption when the Pd and Pt layers are in direct contact with a ferromagnet, compared with when they are in indirect contact. This change correlates with the presence of induced magnetic moments in Pd and Pt as revealed by element-specific x-ray magnetic circular dichroism magnetometry. The results show that the decoherence process for spin current in such layers is not independent of geometry, but rather is influenced by the presence of induced ferromagnetic order.

International audience; We investigate how the ability of the vortex oscillation mode of a spin-torque nano-oscillator to lock to an external microwave signal is modified when it is coupled to another oscillator. We show experimentally that the mutual electrical coupling can lead to locking range enhancements of a factor 1.64.Furthermore, we analyze the evolution of the locking range as a function of the coupling strength through experiments and numerical simulations. By uncovering the mechanisms at stake in the locking range enhancement, our results will be useful for designing spin-torque nano-oscillator arrays with high sensitivities to external microwave stimuli

We present a comparative study of high frequency dynamics and low frequency noise in elliptical magnetic tunnel junctions with lateral dimensions under 100 nm presenting current-switching phenomena. The analysis of the high frequency oscillation modes with respect to the current reveals the onset of a steady-state precession regime for negative bias currents above J = 10 7 A / cm 2, when the magnetic field is applied along the easy axis of magnetization. By the study of low frequency noise for the same samples, we demonstrate the direct link between changes in the oscillation modes with the applied current and the normalised low frequency (1/f) noise as a function of the bias current. These findings prove that low frequency noise studies could be a simple and powerful technique to investigate spin-torque based magnetization dynamics, We would like to acknowledge the support by the Spanish MINECO (MAT2012-32743), and the Comunidad de Madrid through NANOFRONTMAG-CM (S2013/MIT- 2850) and CCC-UAM (SVORTEX)

International audience; The influence of dynamic coupling in between magnetic layers of a standard spin torque nano-oscillator composed of a synthetic antiferromagnet (SyF) as a polarizer and an in-plane magnetized free layer has been investigated. Experiments on spin valve nanopillars reveal non-continuous features such as kinks in the frequency field dependence that cannot be explained without such interactions. Comparison of experiments to numerical macrospin simulations shows that this is due to non-linear interaction between the spin torque (STT) driven mode and a damped mode that is mediated via the third harmonics of the STT mode. It only occurs at large applied currents and thus at large excitation amplitudes of the STT mode. Under these conditions, a hybridized mode characterized by a strong reduction of the linewidth appears. The reduced linewidth can be explained by a reduction of the non-linear contribution to the linewidth via an enhanced effective damping. Interestingly, the effect depends also on the exchange interaction within the SyF. An enhancement of the current range of reduced linewidth by a factor of two and a reduction of the minimum linewidth by a factor of two are predicted from simulation when the exchange interaction strength is reduced by 30%. These results open directions to optimize the design and microwave performances of spin torque nano-oscillators taking advantage of the coupling mechanisms. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.

An equilibrium stability analysis of an in-plane magnetized synthetic ferrimagnetic free layer (SyF) submitted to multiple spin-transfer-torque (STT) influences and to applied field has been carried out. Analytical expressions for the frequency and linewidth of the excitations were derived, in the case of strong coupling between the two layers compared to the anisotropy field. The expression of the critical current for the onset of excitations in the SyF was then calculated. Above the critical current, the destabilized mode, acoustic or optical, is found to depend on the applied field direction, but also on the asymmetry of the two layers composing the SyF. A strong thickness asymmetry reduces the critical current at zero field, and allows to select the destabilized mode. The critical current of an in-plane SyF with mutual spin torque between the layers and without reference layer was computed. For a symmetric SyF, the optical mode is the only mode that can be destabilized by STT.

We study in-plane magnetic tunnel junctions with additional perpendicular polarizer for subnanosecond-current-induced switching memories. The spin-transfer-torque switching dynamics was studied as a function of the cell aspect ratio both experimentally and by numerical simulations using the macrospin model. We show that the anisotropy field plays a significant role in the dynamics, along with the relative amplitude of the two spin-torque contributions. This was confirmed by micromagnetic simulations. Real-time measurements of the reversal were performed with samples of low and high aspect ratio. For low aspect ratios, a precessional motion of the magnetization was observed and the effect of temperature on the precession coherence was studied. For high aspect ratios, we observed magnetization reversals in less than 1 ns for high enough current densities, the final state being controlled by the current direction in the magnetic tunnel junction cell., Comment: 6 pages, 7 figures

This work reports on advances in MRAM cells aiming at sub-nanosecond switching and for sub-20nm technology nodes. Ultrafast precessional spin-transfer switching in elliptical magnetic tunnel junction nanopillars is possible to obtain in samples integrating a perpendicular polarizer and a tunnel junction with in-plane magnetized electrodes. We show that spin transfer torque (STT) switching in less than 500ps can be achieved in these structures with corresponding write energy less than 100fJ. For high density integration and possibly sub-20nm diameter cells the use of a thermally assisted concept for perpendicular anisotropy cells, where the intrinsic heating is used to simultaneously achieve high thermal stability and low current switching.

International audience; An analytical perturbative approach is presented to calculate the out-of-plane precessional motion of the magnetization of an in-plane free layer submitted to the spin torque of a perpendicular polarizer in the macrospin model. We consider the effects of the uniaxial anisotropy field, of an in-plane applied field, and of the perturbation due to the in-plane reference layer on the otherwise circular and monochromatic oscillations of the free layer. We calculate the frequency change due to these perturbations, the amplitude of the second harmonics, and the critical current for the existence of oscillations. This approach is rather general in the treatment of harmonics in spin torque oscillators

This work reports sub-nanosecond precessional spin-transfer switching in elliptical magnetic tunnel junction nanopillars. This result is obtained in samples integrating a perpendicular polarizer and a tunnel junction with in-plane magnetized electrodes. We have performed statistics on time-resolved electrical measurements showing oscillations of the switching probability as a function of write voltage pulse width. This behavior is characteristic of the free layer precessional motion induced by the perpendicular polarizer. Ultrafast STT switching in less than 300ps could be achieved in these structures with corresponding write energy less than 100fJ.

The paper describes the possible use of a spintorque oscillator in the design of a radiofrequency macro-oscillator. The low consumption and the nanometric size of spintorque oscillators comparatively to LC circuits open new perspectives for these devices. Unfortunately a single spintorque oscillator cannot be used for radiofrequency applications due to a very low power and a high level of phase noise. In order to improve the performance of the output signal a common synchronization approach is applied to an array of forced spintorque oscillators. The main issues for practical realization are presented and possible ways for their solution are proposed.

International audience; The coherence of the precessional switching was compared in planar spin-valves comprising either an additional simple perpendicular polarizer or a synthetic antiferromagnet perpendicular polarizer. A significant improvement in the precession coherence was observed experimentally in the second type of samples. Micromagnetic simulations were performed to study the effect of the stray field from the perpendicular polarizer. They provide an explanation for the gradual loss of coherence of the precession in terms of vortex formation, which occurs much faster when a simple perpendicular polarizer is used.

We have measured the size effect in nonlocal Gilbert relaxation rate in FM(t$_{FM}$) / Cu (5nm) [/ Pt (2nm)] / Al(2nm) heterostructures, FM = \{ Ni$_{81}$Fe$_{19}$, Co$_{60}$Fe$_{20}$B$_{20}$, pure Co\}. Common behavior is observed for three FM layers, where the additional relaxation obeys both a strict inverse power law dependence $\Delta G =K \:t^{n}$, $n=-\textrm{1.04}\pm\textrm{0.06}$ and a similar magnitude $K=\textrm{224}\pm\textrm{40 Mhz}\cdot\textrm{nm}$. As the tested FM layers span an order of magnitude in spin diffusion length $\lambda_{SDL}$, the results are in support of spin diffusion, rather than nonlocal resistivity, as the origin of the effect.

The influence of dynamic interactions on the spin-polarized current-induced steady state oscillations has been studied numerically for a spin torque oscillator that is composed of a free layer and a synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) pinned layer. Two types of dynamical interactions have been considered. The first is the exchange interaction between the two layers that constitute the SAF pinned layer. The second is a mutual spin torque interaction between the free layer and the pinned SAF layer. Taking these interactions into account, the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation including the spin transfer torque has been solved simultaneously for all three layers in a macrospin approach. Besides the dynamic state diagram for such a coupled spin torque oscillator, three major results have been obtained for the dynamic excitation states: (1) the dynamic states are not in all cases steady state periodic oscillations but can present nonperiodic trajectories reminiscent of chaos, (2) due to the mutual spin torque interaction frequency jumps can occur which are interpreted in terms of resonance excitations and frequency locking between the free layer and SAF magnetizations, and (3) the acoustic-type steady state oscillations of the SAF differ from those of a single layer in that the frequency vs current dependence of the in-plane precession modes can show both redshift as well as blueshift. This is interpreted as a general property of the large-angle nonlinear dynamics of a SAF.

International audience; Voltage noise measurements were performed in the 3–7 GHz frequency range on magnetic tunnel junctions biased with a dc current. Magnetic noise associated with ferromagnetic resonance excitations is either amplified or reduced depending on the direction of the bias current. This effect is interpreted as the influence of spin transfer torque on the magnetization fluctuations and described using Gilbert dynamics equation including spin transfer torque and effective field terms.

Coupled free layers systems used as active elements in spin-transfer nano-oscillators (STNOs) can have improved microwave performances in terms of linewidth or tunability. Here, we report a numerical study on the magnetization dynamics of a synthetic antiferromagnet (SAF) driven by a perpendicularly spin-polarized current and an in-plane applied magnetic field. Compared to the single free layer STNO, the current-field state diagrams, derived for strong and weak RKKY exchange coupling strength inside the SAF, show a more complex structure, with new static or dynamic states (chaotic dynamics), and also a larger zone of out-of-plane precession state (OPP) oscillations. The OPP frequency behaviour is generally similar to that of the single free layer STNO except for the zone near the chaotic dynamics and for fields larger than the spin-flop field of the SAF, where several frequency jumps have been observed.

The temperature dependence of the microwave emission linewidth Δf, the amplitude-phase coupling parameter ν, and the amplitude relaxation rate Γp were investigated experimentally for tunnel junction spin-transfer-oscillators. A linear increase of Δf and unexpectedly of Γp with temperature is observed, giving a ratio 2πΔf/Γp close to one. Analytical evaluation of the phase variance confirms that for this ratio the temperature dependence of Δf is linear and that in this temperature range Δf is enhanced by the amplitude-phase coupling. This is not changed when taking the temperature dependence of Γp into account, the origin of which remains to be elucidated.

We demonstrate by macrospin simulations that in a spin-torque nano-oscillator having synthetic antiferromagnet fixed layer, the non-conservative dynamic coupling between the free and fixed layers caused by spin-torque effect leads to a substantial reduction of the linewidth of the current-induced spin wave mode, involving oscillations in all three magnetic layers. By analysing the phase and amplitude noise extracted from the simulated signal, we prove that the obtained linewidth reduction is related to the reduction of the dimensionless non-linear amplitude-phase coupling parameter ν.

Injection locking of a spin transfer nano-oscillator, based on an in-plane magnetized magnetic tunnel junction and generating the frequency f0, to an external signal of varying frequency fe is studied experimentally and with macrospin simulations. It is shown, that if the driving signal has the form of a microwave current, the locking effect is well-pronounced near fe≅2f0, but is almost completely absent near fe≅f0, confirming predictions of analytical theory. It is also shown that noise plays an important role in the locking process, causing the linewidth of the locked oscillation to substantially exceed that of the driving signal.

Antiferromagnetic materials can host spin-waves with polarizations ranging from circular to linear depending on their magnetic anisotropies. Until now, only easy-axis anisotropy antiferromagnets with circularly polarized spin-waves were reported to carry spin-information over long distances of micrometers. In this article, we report long-distance spin-transport in the easy-plane canted antiferromagnetic phase of hematite and at room temperature, where the linearly polarized magnons are not intuitively expected to carry spin. We demonstrate that the spin-transport signal decreases continuously through the easy-axis to easy-plane Morin transition, and persists in the easy-plane phase through current induced pairs of linearly polarized magnons with dephasing lengths in the micrometer range. We explain the long transport distance as a result of the low magnetic damping, which we measure to be ≤ 10−5 as in the best ferromagnets. All of this together demonstrates that long-distance transport can be achieved across a range of anisotropies and temperatures, up to room temperature, highlighting the promising potential of this insulating antiferromagnet for magnon-based devices., Hitherto, only circularly polarized antiferromagnetic (AFM) spin-waves (SWs) were expected to convey spin-information. Here, the authors present persistent spin-transport over long distances in the easy-plane AFM phase of hematite, α-Fe2O3, via linearly polarized SW pairs with ultra-low damping.