We demonstrate magnetic droplet soliton pairs in all-perpendicular spin-torque nano-oscillators (STNOs), where one droplet resides in the STNO free layer (FL) and the other in the reference layer (RL). Typically, theoretical, numerical, and experimental droplet studies have focused on the FL, with any additional dynamics in the RL entirely ignored. Here we show that there is not only significant magnetodynamics in the RL, but the RL itself can host a droplet driven by, and coexisting with, the FL droplet. Both single droplets and pairs are observed experimentally as stepwise changes and sharp peaks in the dc and differential resistance, respectively. While the single FL droplet is highly stable, the coexistence state exhibits high-power broadband microwave noise. Furthermore, micromagnetic simulations reveal that the pair dynamics display periodic, quasi-periodic, and chaotic signatures controlled by applied field and current. The strongly interacting and closely spaced droplet pair offers a unique platform for fundamental studies of highly non-linear soliton pair dynamics.

Magnetic droplets are a type of non-topological magnetic soliton, which are stabilised and sustained by spin-transfer torques for instance. Without this, they would collapse. Here Ahlberg et al show that by decreasing the applied magnetic field, droplets can be frozen, forming a static nanobubble Magnetic droplets are non-topological magnetodynamical solitons displaying a wide range of complex dynamic phenomena with potential for microwave signal generation. Bubbles, on the other hand, are internally static cylindrical magnetic domains, stabilized by external fields and magnetostatic interactions. In its original theory, the droplet was described as an imminently collapsing bubble stabilized by spin transfer torque and, in its zero-frequency limit, as equivalent to a bubble. Without nanoscale lateral confinement, pinning, or an external applied field, such a nanobubble is unstable, and should collapse. Here, we show that we can freeze dynamic droplets into static nanobubbles by decreasing the magnetic field. While the bubble has virtually the same resistance as the droplet, all signs of low-frequency microwave noise disappear. The transition is fully reversible and the bubble can be thawed back into a droplet if the magnetic field is increased under current. Whereas the droplet collapses without a sustaining current, the bubble is highly stable and remains intact for days without external drive. Electrical measurements are complemented by direct observation using scanning transmission x-ray microscopy, which corroborates the analysis and confirms that the bubble is stabilized by pinning.

We demonstrate an approach for improving the spectral linewidth of a spin torque nano-oscillator (STNO). Using He + ion irradiation, we tune the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) of the STNO free layer such that its easy axis is gradually varied from strongly out-of-plane to moderate in-plane. As the PMA impacts the non-linearity N of the STNO, we can, in this way, control the threshold current, the current tunability of the frequency, and, in particular, the STNO linewidth, which dramatically improves by two orders of magnitude. Our results are in good agreement with the theory for nonlinear auto-oscillators, confirm theoretical predictions of the role of the nonlinearity, and demonstrate a straightforward path toward improving the microwave properties of STNOs.

Magnetic droplets are nontopological dynamical soli tons that can be nucleated in nanocontact based spin torque nano-oscillators (STNOs) with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy free layers. While theory predicts that the droplet should be of the same size as the nanocontact, its inherent drift instability has thwarted attempts at observing it directly using microscopy techniques. Here, we demonstrate highly stable magnetic droplets in all-perpendicular STNOs and present the first detailed droplet images using scanning transmission X-ray microscopy. In contrast to theoretical predictions, we find that the droplet diameter is about twice as large as the nanocontact. By extending the original droplet theory to properly account for the lateral current spread underneath the nanocontact, we show that the large discrepancy primarily arises from current-in-plane Zhang-Li torque adding an outward pressure on the droplet perimeter. Electrical measurements on droplets nucleated using a reversed current in the antiparallel state corroborate this picture.

We investigate how the Oersted field affects the magnetic droplet nucleation boundary in spin-torque nano-oscillators based on orthogonal spin-valve stacks with a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy Co/Ni free layer and an easy-plane anisotropy Ni80Fe20 fixed layer. The current-field nucleation boundary is determined experimentally using both microwave signal and dc resistance measurements. The Oersted field can, in principle, have an impact on droplet nucleation. This effect is considered approximately using an analytical equation for the nucleation boundary, which is extended to cover fields larger than the fixed-layer saturation field. We test the accuracy of this approach by comparing with micromagnetic simulations. Finally, we carry out a numerical fit to experimental data and find good agreement.

Using He+ ion irradiation, we demonstrate how the magnetodynamic properties of both ferromagnetic layers in all-perpendicular [Co/Pd]/Cu/[Co/Ni] spin valves can be tuned by varying the He+ ion fluence. As the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of both layers is gradually reduced by the irradiation, different magnetic configurations can be achieved from all-perpendicular (up arrow up arrow), through orthogonal (->up arrow), to all in-plane (paired right arrows). In addition, both the magnetic damping (alpha) and the inhomogeneous broadening (Delta H-0) of the Co/Ni layer improve substantially with increasing fluence. While the GMR of the spin valve is negatively affected, decreasing linearly from an original value of 1.14% to 0.4% at the maximum fluence of 50x10(14) He+/cm(2), most of the Co/Ni layer improvement is achieved already at a fluence of 10x10(14) He+/cm(2), for which GMR only reduces to 0.9%.

We study the magnetodynamic modes of a magnetic tunnel junction with perpendicular magnetic easy axis (p-MTJ) in in-plane magnetic fields using device-level ferromagnetic resonance spectroscopy. We compare our experimental results to those of micromagnetic simulations of the entire p-MTJ. Using an iterative approach to determine the material parameters that best fit our experiment, we find excellent agreement between experiments and simulations in both the static magnetoresistance and magnetodynamics in the free and reference layers. From the micromagnetic simulations, we determine the spatial mode profiles, the localization of the modes and, as a consequence, their distribution in the frequency domain due to the inhomogeneous internal field distribution inside the p-MTJ under different applied field regimes. We also conclude that the excitation mechanism is a combination of the microwave voltage modulated perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, the microwave Oersted field, and the spin-transfer torque generated by the microwave current.

We study the magnetodynamic modes of a magnetic tunnel junction with perpendicular magnetic easy axis (p-MTJ) in in-plane magnetic fields using device-level ferromagnetic resonance spectroscopy. We compare our experimental results to those of micromagnetic simulations of the entire p-MTJ. Using an iterative approach to determine the material parameters that best fit our experiment, we find excellent agreement between experiments and simulations in both the static magnetoresistance and magnetodynamics in the free and reference layers. From the micromagnetic simulations, we determine the spatial mode profiles, the localization of the modes and, as a consequence, their distribution in the frequency domain due to the inhomogeneous internal field distribution inside the p-MTJ under different applied field regimes. We also conclude that the excitation mechanism is a combination of the microwave voltage modulated perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, the microwave Oersted field, and the spin-transfer torque generated by the microwave current.

We demonstrate highly efficient spin Hall nano-oscillators (SHNOs) based on NiFe/beta-W bilayers. Thanks to the very high spin Hall angle of beta-W, we achieve more than a 60% reduction in the auto-oscillation threshold current compared to NiFe/Pt bilayers. The structural, electrical, and magnetic properties of the bilayers, as well as the microwave signal generation properties of the SHNOs, have been studied in detail. Our results provide a promising path for the realization of low-current SHNO microwave devices with highly efficient spin-orbit torque from beta-W. Published by AIP Publishing.

Spin-torque transfer (STT) effects have brought spintronics ever closer to practical electronic applications, such as MRAM and active broadband microwave spin-torque oscillator (STO), and have emerged as an increasingly attractive field of research in spin dynamics. Utilizing materials with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in such applications offers several great advantages such as low-current, low-field operation combined with high thermal stability. The exchange coupling that a PMA thin film exerts on an adjacent in-plane magnetic anisotropy (IMA) layer can tilt the IMA magnetization direction out of plane, thus creating a stack with an effective tilted magnetic anisotropy. The tilt angle can be engineered via both intrinsic material parameters, such as the PMA and the saturation magnetization, and extrinsic parameters, such as the layer thicknesses.

      STOs can be fabricated in one of a number of forms—as a nanocontact opening on a mesa from a deposited pseudospin-valve (PSV) structure, or as a nanopillar etching from magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ)—composed of highly reproducible PMA or predetermined tilted magnetic anisotropy layers.

      All-perpendicular CoFeB MTJ STOs showed high-frequency microwave generation with extremely high current tunability, all achieved at low applied biases. Spin-torque ferromagnetic resonance (ST-FMR) measurements and analysis revealed the bias dependence of spin-torque components, thus promise great potential for direct gate-voltage controlled STOs.

      In all-perpendicular PSV STOs, magnetic droplets were observed underneath the nanocontact area at a low drive current and low applied field. Furthermore, preliminary results for microwave auto-oscillation and droplet solitons were obtained from tilted-polarizer PSV STOs. These are promising and would be worth investigating in further studies of STT driven spin dynamics.

Effekter av spinnvridmoment (STT) har fört spinntroniken allt närmare praktiska elektroniska tillämpningar, såsom MRAM och den spinntroniska mikrovågsoscillatorn (STO), och har blivit ett allt mer attraktivt forskningsområde inom spinndynamik. Användning av material med vinkelrät magnetisk anisotropi (PMA) i sådana tillämpningar erbjuder flera stora fördelar, såsom låg strömförbrukning och funktion vid låga fält i kombination med hög termisk stabilitet. Den utbyteskoppling (”exchange bias”) en PMA-tunnfilm utövar på ett intilliggande skikt med magnetisk anisotropi i planet (IMA) kan få IMA-magnetiseringsriktningen att vridas ut ur planet, vilket ger en materialstack med en effektivt sett lutande magnetisk anisotropi. Lutningsvinkeln kan manipuleras med både inre materialparametrar, såsom PMA och mättningsmagnetisering, och yttre parametrar, såsom skikttjocklekarna.

STO:er kan tillverkas som flera olika typer - som en nanokontaktsöppning på en s.k. mesa av en deponerad pseudospinnventilstruktur (PSV) eller som en nanotråd etsad ur en magnetisk tunnlingsövergång (MTJ) –och bestå av mycket reproducerbar PMA eller av skikt med på förhand bestämt lutning av dess magnetiska anisotropi.

MTJ-STO:er av CoFeB med helt vinkelrät anisotropi visar högfrekvent mikrovågsgenerering med extremt stort frekvensomfång hos strömstyrningen, detta vid låg biasering. Mätning och analys av spinnvridmoments-ferromagnetisk resonans (ST-FMR) avslöjade ett biasberoende hos spinnvridmomentskomponenter, vilket indikerar en stor potential för direkt gate-spänningsstyrda STO:er.

I helt vinkelräta PSV-STO:er observerades magnetiska droppar under nanokontaktområdet vid låg drivström och lågt pålagt fält. Dessutom erhölls preliminära resultat av mikrovågssjälvsvängning och av s.k. ”droplet solitons” hos PSV-STO:er med lutande polarisator. Dessa är lovande och skulle vara värda att undersökas i ytterligare studier av STT-driven spinndynamik.