Time Domain Mapping of Spin Torque Oscillator Effective Energy

Stochastic dynamics of spin torque oscillators (STOs) can be described in terms of magnetization drift and diffusion over a current-dependent effective energy surface given by the Fokker-Planck equation. Here we present a method that directly probes this effective energy surface via time-resolved measurements of the microwave voltage generated by a STO. We show that the effective energy approach provides a simple recipe for predicting spectral line widths and line shapes near the generation threshold. Our time domain technique also accurately measures the field-like component of spin torque in a wide range of the voltage bias values.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures. Supplement included: 7 pages, 6 figure

Angular Dependence of the Superconducting Transition Temperature in Ferromagnet-Superconductor-Ferromagnet Trilayers

The superconducting transition temperature, $T_c$, of a ferromagnet (F) - superconductor (S) - ferromagnet trilayer depends on the mutual orientation of the magnetic moments of the F layers. This effect has been previously observed in F/S/F systems as a $T_c$ difference between parallel and antiparallel configurations of the F layers. Here we report measurements of $T_c$ in CuNi/Nb/CuNi trilayers as a function of the angle between the magnetic moments of the CuNi ferromagnets. The observed angular dependence of $T_c$ is in qualitative agreement with a F/S proximity theory that accounts for the odd triplet component of the condensate predicted to arise for non-collinear orientation of the magnetic moments of the F layers.Comment: 4 + \epsilon pages including 4 figures. To appear in Phys. Rev. Let

Angular dependence of superconductivity in superconductor / spin valve heterostructures

We report measurements of the superconducting transition temperature, $T_c$, in CoO/Co/Cu/Co/Nb multilayers as a function of the angle $\alpha$ between the magnetic moments of the Co layers. Our measurements reveal that $T_c(\alpha)$ is a nonmonotonic function, with a minimum near $\alpha={\pi}/{2}$. Numerical self-consistent solutions of the Bogoliubov - de Gennes equations quantitatively and accurately describe the behavior of $T_c$ as a function of $\alpha$ and layer thicknesses in these superconductor / spin-valve heterostructures. We show that experimental data and theoretical evidence agree in relating $T_c(\alpha)$ to enhanced penetration of the triplet component of the condensate into the Co/Cu/Co spin valve in the maximally noncollinear magnetic configuration.Comment: 9 pages, 9 figure

Easy-plane spin Hall oscillator

Spin Hall oscillators (SHOs) based on bilayers of a ferromagnet (FM) and a non-magnetic heavy metal (HM) are electrically tunable nanoscale microwave signal generators. Achieving high output power in SHOs requires driving large-amplitude magnetization dynamics by a direct spin Hall current. The maximum possible amplitude of such oscillations with the precession cone angle nearing $90^\circ$ is predicted for FM layers with easy-plane magnetic anisotropy and spin Hall current polarization perpendicular to the easy plane. While many FMs exhibit natural easy-plane anisotropy in the FM film plane, the spin Hall current in a HM|FM bilayer is polarized in this plane and thus cannot drive large-amplitude magneto-dynamics. Here we present a new type of SHO engineered to have the easy-plane anisotropy oriented normal to the film plane, enabling large-amplitude easy-plane dynamics driven by spin Hall current. Our experiments and micromagnetic simulations demonstrate that the desired easy-plane anisotropy can be achieved by tuning the magnetic shape anisotropy and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in a nanowire SHO, leading to a significant enhancement of the generated microwave power. The easy-plane SHO experimentally demonstrated here is an ideal candidate for realization of a spintronic spiking neuron. Our results provide a new approach to design of high-power SHOs for wireless communications, neuromorphic computing, and microwave assisted magnetic recording.Comment: Main: 12 pages, 6 figures. Supplementary Material: 5 pages, 6 figure

Nanowire Spin Torque Oscillator Driven by Spin Orbit Torques

Spin torque from spin current applied to a nanoscale region of a ferromagnet can act as negative magnetic damping and thereby excite self-oscillations of its magnetization. In contrast, spin torque uniformly applied to the magnetization of an extended ferromagnetic film does not generate self-oscillatory magnetic dynamics but leads to reduction of the saturation magnetization. Here we report studies of the effect of spin torque on a system of intermediate dimensionality - a ferromagnetic nanowire. We observe coherent self-oscillations of magnetization in a ferromagnetic nanowire serving as the active region of a spin torque oscillator driven by spin orbit torques. Our work demonstrates that magnetization self-oscillations can be excited in a one-dimensional magnetic system and that dimensions of the active region of spin torque oscillators can be extended beyond the nanometer length scale.Comment: The link to the published version is http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2014/141205/ncomms6616/full/ncomms6616.htm

Parametric resonance of magnetization excited by electric field

Manipulation of magnetization by electric field is a central goal of spintronics because it enables energy-efficient operation of spin-based devices. Spin wave devices are promising candidates for low-power information processing but a method for energy-efficient excitation of short-wavelength spin waves has been lacking. Here we show that spin waves in nanoscale magnetic tunnel junctions can be generated via parametric resonance induced by electric field. Parametric excitation of magnetization is a versatile method of short-wavelength spin wave generation, and thus our results pave the way towards energy-efficient nanomagnonic devices

Magnetization reversal driven by low dimensional chaos in a nanoscale ferromagnet

Energy-efficient switching of magnetization is a central problem in nonvolatile magnetic storage and magnetic neuromorphic computing. In the past two decades, several efficient methods of magnetic switching were demonstrated including spin torque, magneto-electric, and microwave-assisted switching mechanisms. Here we report the discovery of a new mechanism giving rise to magnetic switching. We experimentally show that low-dimensional magnetic chaos induced by alternating spin torque can strongly increase the rate of thermally-activated magnetic switching in a nanoscale ferromagnet. This mechanism exhibits a well-pronounced threshold character in spin torque amplitude and its efficiency increases with decreasing spin torque frequency. We present analytical and numerical calculations that quantitatively explain these experimental findings and reveal the key role played by low-dimensional magnetic chaos near saddle equilibria in enhancement of the switching rate. Our work unveils an important interplay between chaos and stochasticity in the energy assisted switching of magnetic nanosystems and paves the way towards improved energy efficiency of spin torque memory and logic