Spin-wave interference patterns created by spin-torque nano-oscillators for memory and computation

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how arrays of spin-torque nano-oscillators can generate spin-wave interference patterns for use in memory and computational applications, leveraging spin-momentum transfer in nanomagnets.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method of creating and controlling spin-wave interference patterns using transponder arrays responding to TMR thresholds for computing and memory.

Findings

Arrays produce resonant spin-wave interference patterns

Transponders detect and respond to spin-waves for information processing

Patterns enable polychronous wave computation and storage

Abstract

Magnetization dynamics in nanomagnets has attracted broad interest since it was predicted that a dc-current flowing through a thin magnetic layer can create spin-wave excitations. These excitations are due to spin-momentum transfer, a transfer of spin angular momentum between conduction electrons and the background magnetization, that enables new types of information processing. Here we show how arrays of spin-torque nano-oscillators (STNO) can create propagating spin-wave interference patterns of use for memory and computation. Memristic transponders distributed on the thin film respond to threshold tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) values thereby detecting the spin-waves and creating new excitation patterns. We show how groups of transponders create resonant (reverberating) spin-wave interference patterns that may be used for polychronous wave computation of arithmetic and boolean functions and information storage.