Recent Advances in Nanocontact Spin-Torque Oscillators

• We present a comprehensive review of the most recent advances in nanocontact spin torque oscillators (NC-STOs). NC-STOs are highly tunable, with both applied magnetic field and dc, broadband microwave signal generators. As opposed to the nanopillar geometry, where the lateral cross section of the entire device has been confined to a typically <100 nm diameter, in NC-STOs, it is only the current injection site that has been laterally confined on top of an extended magnetic film stack. Three distinct material combinations will be discussed: 1) a Co/Cu/NiFe pseudospin valve (PSV) where both the Co and NiFe have a dominant in-plane anisotropy; 2) a Co/Cu/[Co/Ni](4) orthogonal PSV where the Co/Ni multilayer has a strong perpendicular anisotropy; and 3) a single NiFe layer with asymmetric non-magnetic Cu leads. We explore the rich and diverse magnetodynamic modes that can be generated in these three distinct sample geometries.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Elektroteknik och elektronik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Magnetodynamics

spin waves (SWs)

spin-torque oscillator (STO)

spin-transfer torque (STT)

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)