arXiv subjects

J. Åkerman

Publications and source records attributed to J. Åkerman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Analytical modelling for the frequency behavior of two distinct modes in nano-constriction spin Hall nano-oscillator

Nano-constriction spin-Hall nano-oscillators (NC-SHNOs) have garnered considerable interest due to their potential use as efficient and adjustable nano-sized sources of microwave signals, with high-frequency tunability, adaptable design layout, and CMOS compatibility. In order to facilitate system- and circuit-level designs based on the NC-SHNOs, it is essential to have an analytical model capable of predicting the behavior of the NC-SHNO. In this paper, we introduce an analytical model to describe the frequency behavior of a single NC-SHNO in an in-plane magnetic field while considering the Oersted field. The model is divided into two regions based on the direct current value: the "linear-like" and "bullet" modes. Each region is characterized by distinct concepts and equations. The first region, the "linear-like mode," emerges from the nano-constriction edges and progresses toward the center of the active area of the NC-SHNO. In contrast, the second regime, the localized "bullet mode," exhibits negative nonlinearity, where increasing the current will lead to a decrease in frequency. The model's validity is confirmed through experimental data obtained from electrical RF measurements on a single 180nm wide NC-SHNO, and the model demonstrates excellent agreement with experimental data.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2024

Instability in domain wall dynamics in almost compensated ferrimagnets

Nanoscale self-localized topological spin textures, such as domain walls and skyrmions, are of interest for the fundamental physics of magnets and spintronics applications. Ferrimagnets (FiMs), in the region close to the angular momentum compensation point, are promising materials because of their ultrafast spin dynamics at nonzero magnetization. In this work, we study specific features of the FiM domain wall (DW) dynamics, which are absent in both ferromagnets (FM) and antiferromagnets (AFM). In low-damping FMs and AFMs ($α\ll 1$), the non-stationary forced motion of DWs is characterized by slow ($t_{diss}\propto 1/α$) changes of the DW's velocity and internal structure for all accepted values of the DW energy $E$ and its linear momentum $P$ -- a consequence of the stability of DWs for any value of $P$. In contrast, the dispersion law of FiM DWs has specific points, $P=P_{cr}$ and $E_{cr}=E(P_{cr})$, such that stable DWs are only present for $P<P_{cr}$, i.e., $P_{cr}$ and $E_{cr}$ act as endpoints in the $E(P)$ dependence. We show that when a field-like torque driven DW reaches this endpoint, it falls into a highly-non-equilibrium state with the excitation of fast ($t \ll t_{diss}$) and highly-nonlinear intra-wall magnetization dynamics, covering a wide frequency range up until the frequencies of propagating spin waves. The domain wall finally throws off an "excessive" energy by a short "burst" of the propagating spin waves and returns to the stationary state; the full picture of the forced motion is a periodic repetition of such "explosive" events.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2024

Optical heterodyne microscopy of operating spin Hall nano-oscillator arrays

Optical heterodyne detection is a powerful technique for characterizing a wide range of physical excitations. Here, we use two types of optical heterodyne detection techniques (fundamental and parametric pumping) to microscopically characterize the high-frequency auto-oscillations of single and multiple nano-constriction spin Hall nano-oscillators (SHNOs). To validate the technique and demonstrate its robustness, we study SHNOs made from two different material stacks, NiFe/Pt and W/CoFeB/MgO, and investigate the influence of both the RF injection power and the laser power on the measurements, comparing the optical results to conventional electrical measurements. To demonstrate the key features of direct, non-invasive, submicron, spatial, and phase-resolved characterization of the SHNO magnetodynamics, we map out the auto-oscillation magnitude and phase of two phase-binarized SHNOs used in Ising Machines. This proof-of-concept platform establishes a strong foundation for further extensions, contributing to the ongoing development of crucial characterization techniques for emerging computing technologies based on spintronics devices

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Antiferromagnetic Bloch line driven by spin current as room-temperature analog of a fluxon in a long Josephson junction

Antiferromagnets (AFMs) are promising materials for future high-frequency field-free spintronic applications. Self-localized spin structures can enhance their capabilities and introduce new functionalities to AFM-based devices. Here we consider a domain wall (DW), a topological soliton that bridges a connection between two ground states, similar to a Josephson junction (JJ) link between two superconductors. We demonstrate the similarities between DWs in bi-axial AFM with easy-axis primary anisotropy, driven by a spin current, and long Josephson junctions (LJJs). We found that the Bloch line (BL) in DWs resembles the fluxon state of JJs, creating a close analogy between the two systems. We propose a scheme that allows us to create, move, read, and delete such BLs. This transmission line operates at room temperature and can be dynamically reconfigured in contrast to superconductors. Results of a developed model were confirmed by micromagnetic simulations for Cr$_2$O$_3$ and DyFeO$_3$, i.e., correspondingly with weak and strong in-plane anisotropy. Overall, the proposed scheme has significant potential for use in magnetic memory and logic devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

Ultrathin ferrimagnetic GdFeCo films with very low damping

Ferromagnetic materials dominate as the magnetically active element in spintronic devices, but come with drawbacks such as large stray fields, and low operational frequencies. Compensated ferrimagnets provide an alternative as they combine the ultrafast magnetization dynamics of antiferromagnets with a ferromagnet-like spin-orbit-torque (SOT) behavior. However to use ferrimagnets in spintronic devices their advantageous properties must be retained also in ultrathin films (t < 10 nm). In this study, ferrimagnetic Gdx(Fe87.5Co12.5)1-x thin films in the thickness range t = 2-20 nm were grown on high resistance Si(100) substrates and studied using broadband ferromagnetic resonance measurements at room temperature. By tuning their stoichiometry, a nearly compensated behavior is observed in 2 nm Gdx(Fe87.5Co12.5)1-x ultrathin films for the first time, with an effective magnetization of Meff = 0.02 T and a low effective Gilbert damping constant of α = 0.0078, comparable to the lowest values reported so far in 30 nm films. These results show great promise for the development of ultrafast and energy efficient ferrimagnetic spintronic devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Roadmap on Spin-Wave Computing

Magnonics is a field of science that addresses the physical properties of spin waves and utilizes them for data processing. Scalability down to atomic dimensions, operations in the GHz-to-THz frequency range, utilization of nonlinear and nonreciprocal phenomena, and compatibility with CMOS are just a few of many advantages offered by magnons. Although magnonics is still primarily positioned in the academic domain, the scientific and technological challenges of the field are being extensively investigated, and many proof-of-concept prototypes have already been realized in laboratories. This roadmap is a product of the collective work of many authors that covers versatile spin-wave computing approaches, conceptual building blocks, and underlying physical phenomena. In particular, the roadmap discusses the computation operations with Boolean digital data, unconventional approaches like neuromorphic computing, and the progress towards magnon-based quantum computing. The article is organized as a collection of sub-sections grouped into seven large thematic sections. Each sub-section is prepared by one or a group of authors and concludes with a brief description of the current challenges and the outlook of the further development of the research directions.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2020

Compositional effect on auto-oscillation behavior of Ni100-xFex/Pt spin Hall nano-oscillators

We demonstrate the compositional effect on the magnetodynamic and auto-oscillations properties of Ni100-xFex/Pt (x= 10 to 40) nanoconstriction based spin Hall nano-oscillators. Using spin-torque ferromagnetic resonance (ST-FMR) performed on microstrips, we measure a significant reduction in both damping and spin Hall efficiency with increasing Fe content, which lowers the spin pumping contribution. The strong compositional effect on spin Hall efficiency is primarily attributed to the increased saturation magnetization in Fe-rich devices. As a direct consequence, higher current densities are required to drive spin-wave auto-oscillations at higher microwave frequencies in Fe-rich nano-constriction devices. Our results establish the critical role of the compositional effect in engineering the magnetodynamic and auto-oscillation properties of spin Hall devices for microwav eand magnonic applications.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2020

Femtosecond laser pulse driven caustic spin wave beams

Controlling the directionality of spin waves is a key ingredient in wave-based computing methods such as magnonics. In this paper, we demonstrate this particular aspect by using an all-optical point-like source of continuous spin waves based on frequency comb rapid demagnetization. The emitted spin waves contain a range of k-vectors and by detuning the applied magnetic field slightly off the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR), we observe X-shaped caustic spin-wave patterns at $70^{\circ}$ propagation angles as predicted by theory. When the harmonic of the light source approaches theFMR, the caustic pattern gives way to uniaxial spin-wave propagation perpendicular to the in-plane component of the applied field. This field-controlled propagation pattern and directionality of optically emitted short-wavelength spin waves provide additional degrees of freedom when designing magnonic devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Sustained coherent spin wave emission using frequency combs

We demonstrate sustained coherent emission of spin waves in NiFe films using rapid demagnetization from high repetition rate femtosecond laser pulse trains. As the pulse separation is shorter than the magnon decay time, magnons having a frequency equal to a multiple of the 1 GHz repetition-rate are coherently amplified. Using scanning micro-Brillouin Light Scattering (BLS) we observe this coherent amplification as strong peaks spaced 1 GHz apart. The BLS counts vs. laser power exhibit a stronger than parabolic dependence consistent with counts being proportional to the square of the magnetodynamic amplitude, and the demagnetization pulse strength being described by a Bloch law. Spatial spin wave mapping demonstrates how both localized and propagating spin waves can be excited, and how the propagation direction can be directly controlled. Our results demonstrate the versatility of BLS spectroscopy for rapid demagnetization studies and enable a new platform for photo-magnonics where sustained coherent spin waves can be utilized.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Chiral excitations of magnetic droplet solitons driven by their own inertia

The inertial effects of magnetic solitons play a crucial role in their dynamics and stability. Yet governing their inertial effects is a challenge for their use in real devices. Here, we show how to control the inertial effects of magnetic droplet solitons. Magnetic droplets are strongly nonlinear and localized autosolitons than can form in current-driven nanocontacts. Droplets can be considered as dynamical particles with an effective mass. We show that the dynamical droplet bears a second excitation under its own inertia. These excitations comprise a chiral profile, and appear when the droplet resists the force induced by the Oersted field of the current injected into the nanocontact. We reveal the role of the spin torque on the excitation of these chiral modes and we show how to control these modes using the current and the field.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Magnetodynamics in orthogonal nanocontact spin-torque nano-oscillators based on magnetic tunnel junctions

We demonstrate field and current controlled magnetodynamics in nanocontact spin-torque nano-oscillators (STNOs) based on orthogonal magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs). We systematically analyze the microwave properties (frequency $f$, linewidth $Δf$, power $P$, and frequency tunability $df/dI$) with their physical origins---perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA), damping-like and field-like spin transfer torque (STT), and voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy (VCMA). These devices present several advantageous characteristics: high emission frequencies ($f> 20$ GHz), high frequency tunability ($df/dI=0.25$~GHz/mA), and zero-field operation ($f\sim 4$ GHz). Furthermore, a detailed investigation of $f(H, I)$ reveals that $df/dI$ is mostly governed by the large VCMA (287~fJ/(V$\cdot$m)), while STT plays a negligible role.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2018

Inhomogeneous magnon scattering during ultrafast demagnetization

Ni$_{0.8}$Fe$_{0.2}$ (Py) and Py alloyed with Cu exhibit intriguing ultrafast demagnetization behavior, where the Ni magnetic moment shows a delayed response relative to the Fe, an effect which is strongly enhanced by Cu alloying. We have studied a broad range of Cu concentrations to elucidate the effects of Cu alloying in Py. The orbital/spin magnetic moment ratios are largely unaffected by Cu alloying, signifying that Cu-induced changes in the ultrafast demagnetization are not related to spin-orbit interactions. We show that magnon diffusion can explain the delayed Ni response, which we attribute to an enhanced magnon generation rate in the Fe sublattice relative to the Ni sublattice. Furthermore, Py exhibits prominent RKKY-like exchange interactions, which are strongly enhanced between Fe atoms and diminished between Ni atoms by Cu alloying. An increased Fe magnon scattering rate is expected to occur concurrently with this increased Fe-Fe exchange interaction, supporting the results obtained from the magnon diffusion model.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

CMOS compatible W/CoFeB/MgO spin Hall nano-oscillators with wide frequency tunability

We demonstrate low-operational-current W/Co$_{20}$Fe$_{60}$B$_{20}$/MgO spin Hall nano-oscillators (SHNOs) on highly resistive silicon (HiR-Si) substrates. Thanks to a record high spin Hall angle of the $β$-phase W ($θ_{SH}$ = -0.53), a very low threshold current density of 3.3 $\times$ 10$^{7}$ A/cm$^2$ can be achieved. Together with their very wide frequency tunability (7-28 GHz), promoted by a moderate perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, this makes HiR-Si/W/CoFeB based SHNOs potential candidates for wide-band microwave signal generation. Their CMOS compatibility offers a promising route towards the integration of spintronic microwave devices with other on-chip semiconductor microwave components.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2018

Tuning the magnetodynamic properties of all-perpendicular spin valves using He+ irradiation

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, through orthogonal, to all in-plane. In addition, both the magnetic damping and the inhomogeneous broadening of the Co/Ni layer improve substantially with increasing fluence. GMR of the spin valve is negatively affected and decreases linearly from an original value of 1.14% to 0.4% at the maximum fluence of 50*10^14 He+/cm^2.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2017

Faster, farther, stronger: spin transfer torque driven high order propagating spin waves in nano-contact magnetic tunnel junctions

Short wave-length exchange-dominated propagating spin waves will enable magnonic devices to operate at higher frequencies and higher data transmission rates.1 While GMR based magnetic nano-contacts are highly efficient injectors of propagating spin waves2,3, the generated wave lengths are 2.6 times the nano-contact diameter4, and the electrical signal strength remains much too weak for practical applications. Here we demonstrate nano-contact based spin wave generation in magnetic tunnel junction stacks, and observe large discrete frequency steps consistent with the hitherto ignored possibility of second and third order propagating spin waves with wave lengths of 120 and 74 nm, i.e. much smaller than the 150 nm nano-contact. These higher-order propagating spin waves will not only enable magnonic devices to operate at much higher frequencies, but also greatly increase their transmission rates and spin wave propagating lengths, both proportional to the much higher group velocity.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2017

Paving Spin-Wave Fibers in Magnonic Nanocircuits Using Spin-Orbit Torque

Recent studies have revealed that domain walls in magnetic nanostructures can serve as compact, energy-efficient spin-wave waveguides for building magnonic devices that are considered promising candidates for overcoming the challenges and bottlenecks of today's CMOS technologies. However, imprinting long strip-domain walls into magnetic nanowires remains a challenge, especially in curved geometries. Here, through micromagnetic simulations, we present a method for writing strip-domain walls into curved magnetic nanowires using spin-orbit torque. We employ Y-shaped magnetic nanostructures as well as an S-shaped magnetic nanowire to demonstrate the injection process. In addition, we verify that the Y-shaped nanostructures that incorporate strip-domain walls can function as superior spin-wave multiplexers, and that spin-wave propagation along each conduit can be controllably manipulated. This spin-wave multiplexer based on strip-domain walls is expected to become a key signal-processing component in magnon spintronics.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Parametric Auto-Excitation of Magnetic Droplet Soliton Perimeter Modes

Recent experiments performed in current-driven nano-contacts with strong perpendicular anisotropy have shown that spin-transfer torque can drive self-localized spin waves [1, 2] that above a certain threshold intensity can condense into a highly nonlinear magnetodynamic and nano-sized state known as a magnetic droplet soliton [3]. Here we demonstrate analytically, numerically, and experimentally that at sufficiently large driving currents, and for a spin polarization that is tilted away from the film normal, the circular droplet soliton can become unstable to periodic excitations of its perimeter. We furthermore show that these perimeter excitation modes (PEMs) are parametrically excited when the fundamental droplet soliton precession frequency is close to twice the frequency of one or more of the PEMs. As a consequence, for increasing applied fields, progressively higher PEMs can be excited. Quantitative agreement with experiment confirms this picture.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction in Pt/CoFeB films: effect of the heavy-metal thickness

We report the observation of a Pt layer thickness dependence on the induced interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction in ultra-thin Pt($d_{\text{Pt}}$)/CoFeB films. Taking advantage of the large spin-orbit coupling of the heavy metal, the interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction is quantified by Brillouin light scattering measurements of the frequency non-reciprocity of spin-waves in the ferromagnet. The magnitude of the induced Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya coupling is found to saturate to a value $0.45$ mJ$/$m${}^2$ for Pt thicknesses larger than $\sim 2$ nm. The experimental results are explained by analytical calculations based on the 3-site indirect exchange mechanism that predicts a Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction at the interface between a ferromagnetic thin layer and a heavy metal. Our findings open up a way to control and optimize chiral effects in ferromagnetic thin films through the thickness of the heavy metal layer.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗