Spin-wave emission with current-controlled frequency by a PMA-based spin-Hall oscillator

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a current-controlled spin-Hall oscillator using low-damping PMA garnet, enabling efficient spin-wave emission with a broad frequency bandwidth, suitable for neuromorphic computing applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel PMA-based spin-Hall oscillator with tunable frequency and multi-mode emission, supported by experimental and micromagnetic simulation analysis.

Findings

Achieved spin-wave emission with ~1.6 GHz bandwidth.

Demonstrated current-controlled transition from multi-mode to single-mode operation.

Validated experimental results with micromagnetic simulations.

Abstract

Spin-torque and spin-Hall oscillators (SHOs) have emerged as promising candidates for building blocks in neuromorphic computing due to their ability to synchronize mutually, a process that can be mediated by propagating spin waves. We demonstrate a SHO that takes advantage of a low-damping magnetic garnet with dominant perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA), namely gallium-substituted yttrium-iron-garnet (Ga:YIG). In-plane magnetized Ga:YIG allows for the operation at a high efficiency level while also enabling resonant spin-wave emission. A nonlinear self-localization of the excitation is avoided by exploiting the positive nonlinear frequency shift, which facilitates a current-controlled frequency of the emitted spin waves. Via micro-focused Brillouin light scattering spectroscopy, we investigate the properties of the local auto-oscillation and its spin-wave emission. Multiple modes are excited and compete internally, with two propagating modes detected up to distances larger than 10 $\mu$m. Their frequencies combine to an extended frequency bandwidth of approximately 1.6 GHz. The experimentally observed two-mode system and its transition to a single mode at higher currents are reproduced via micromagnetic simulations, which account for spatial variation of the PMA arising due to the microstructures on Ga:YIG. Our results propose a promising platform for hosting SHOs, interconnected via propagating spin waves with particular relevance to neuromorphic computing.