Magnetic oscillations driven by the spin Hall effect in 3-terminal magnetic tunnel junction devices

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that spin Hall effect-induced spin torque in a 3-terminal magnetic tunnel junction device can generate and control magnetic oscillations, paving the way for tunable spin torque nano-oscillators.

Contribution

It introduces a novel 3-terminal device architecture that independently controls oscillation amplitude and frequency via SHE torque and MTJ bias.

Findings

Magnetic oscillations are electrically detected in the device.

Oscillation frequency is tunable via MTJ bias.

Independent control of amplitude and frequency achieved.

Abstract

We show that direct current in a tantalum microstrip can induce steady-state magnetic oscillations in an adjacent nanomagnet through spin torque from the spin Hall effect (SHE). The oscillations are detected electrically via a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) contacting the nanomagnet. The oscillation frequency can be controlled using the MTJ bias to tune the magnetic anisotropy. In this 3-terminal device the SHE torque and the MTJ bias therefore provide independent controls of the oscillation amplitude and frequency, enabling new approaches for developing tunable spin torque nano-oscillators.