Frequency modulation of spin torque oscillator pairs

The current controlled modulation of nano-contact based spin torque oscillator (STO) pairs is studied in both the synchronized and non-synchronized states. The synchronized state shows a well behaved modulation and demonstrates robust mutual locking even under strong modulation. The power distribution of the modulation sidebands can be quantitatively described by assuming a single oscillator model. However, in the non-synchronized state, the modulation sidebands are not well described by the model, indicating interactions between the two individual nano-contact STOs. These findings are promising for potential applications requiring the modulation of large synchronized STO arrays

Power and linewidth of propagating and localized modes in nanocontact spin-torque oscillators

Integrated power and linewidth of a propagating and a self-localized spin wave modes excited by spin-polarized current in an obliquely magnetized magnetic nanocontact are studied experimentally as functions of the angle $\theta_e$ between the external bias magnetic field and the nanocontact plane. It is found that the power of the propagating mode monotonically increases with $\theta_e$, while the power of the self-localized mode has a broad maximum near $\theta_e = 40$ deg, and exponentially vanishes near the critical angle $\theta_e = 58$ deg, at which the localized mode disappears. The linewidth of the propagating mode in the interval of angles $58<\theta_e<90$ deg, where only this mode is excited, is adequtely described by the existing theory, while in the angular interval where both modes can exist the observed linewidth of both modes is substantially broadened due to the telegraph switching between the modes. Numetical simulations and an approximate analytical model give good semi-quantitative description of the observed results.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure

Controlled skyrmion nucleation in extended magnetic layers using a nanocontact geometry

We propose and numerically simulate a spintronic device layout consisting of a nanocontact on top of an extended Co/Pt bilayer. The interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction in such bilayer systems can lead to the possible existence of metastable skyrmions. A small dc current injected through the nanocontact enables the manipulation of the size as well as the annihilation of an initially present skyrmion, while ps-long current pulses allow for the controlled nucleation of single skyrmions underneath the nanocontact. The results are obtained from micromagnetic simulations and can be potentially used for future magnetic storage implementations

Non-linear frequency and amplitude modulation of a nano-contact spin torque oscillator

We study the current controlled modulation of a nano-contact spin torque oscillator. Three principally different cases of frequency non-linearity ($d^{2}f/dI^{2}_{dc}$ being zero, positive, and negative) are investigated. Standard non-linear frequency modulation theory is able to accurately describe the frequency shifts during modulation. However, the power of the modulated sidebands only agrees with calculations based on a recent theory of combined non-linear frequency and amplitude modulation.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure