We study microwave signal generation as a function of drive current and applied perpendicular magnetic Field in nano contact spin torque oscillators (NC-STOs) based on orthogonal (pseudo) spin valves where the Co fixed layer has strong easy plane anisotropy, and the [Co/Nil free layer has a strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. The orthogonal NC-STOs exhibit a dramatic transition from the conventional ferromagnetic resonance like spin wave mode to a magnetic droplet solilon mode. In particular, the field and current dependence of the droplet solilon near threshold are discussed. Near threshold the droplet solilon undergoes complex dynamics that include mode hopping, as evident in the experimental frequency domain and rnagneloresislance response.
QC 20140221