Spin-orbit Torque and Spin Hall Effect-based Cellular Level Therapeutic Neuromodulators: Modulating Neuron Activities through Spintronic Nanodevices

TL;DR

This paper proposes a theoretical model for a spintronic nanodevice that can modulate neuron activity at cellular resolution using magnetic spin-orbit torque effects, offering a non-mechanical, scalable neuromodulation approach.

Contribution

It introduces a novel spintronic nanostructure-based neuromodulator utilizing spin-orbit torque and spin Hall effect for precise neural activity control.

Findings

Feasibility demonstrated through theoretical modeling

Potential for nanoscale, flexible array fabrication

Magnetization switching enables neural modulation

Abstract

Artificial modulation of a neuronal subset through ion channels activation can initiate firing patterns of an entire neural circuit in vivo. As nanovalves in the cell membrane, voltage-gated ion channels can be artificially controlled by the electric field gradient that caused by externally applied time varying magnetic fields. Herein, we theoretically investigate the feasibility of modulating neural activities by using magnetic spintronic nanostructures. An antiferromagnet/ferromagnet (AFM/FM) structure is explored as neuromodulator. For FM layer with perpendicular magnetization, stable bidirectional magnetization switching can be achieved by applying in-plane currents through AFM layer to induce the spin-orbit torque (SOT) due to the spin Hall effect (SHE). This Spin-orbit Torque Neurostimulator (SOTNS) utilizes in-plane charge current pulses to switch the magnetization in FM layer. The time changing magnetic stray field induces electric field that modulates the surrounding neurons. The Object Oriented Micromagnetic Framework (OOMMF) is used to calculate space and time dependent magnetic dynamics of SOTNS structure. The current driven magnetization dynamics in SOTNS has no mechanically moving parts. Furthermore, the size of SOTNS can be down to tens of nanometers, thus, arrays of SOTNSs could be fabricated, integrated together and patterned on a flexible substrate, which gives us much more flexible control of the neuromodulation with cellular resolution.