arXiv subjects

Johan Åkerman

Publications and source records attributed to Johan Åkerman.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

Non-Reciprocal Spin Pumping in Asymmetric Magnetic Trilayers

In magnetic trilayer systems, spin pumping is generally addressed as a reciprocal mechanism characterized by one unique spin mixing conductance common to both interfaces. However, this assumption is questionable in cases where different types of interfaces are present in the material. Here, we present a general theory for analyzing spin pumping in cases with more than one unique interface. The theory is applied to analyze layer-resolved ferromagnetic resonance experiments on the trilayer system Ni$_{20}$Fe$_{80}$/Ru/Fe$_{49}$Co$_{49}$V$_2$ where the Ru spacer thickness is varied to tune the indirect exchange coupling. The results show that the spin pumping in trilayer systems with dissimilar magnetic layers is non-reciprocal, with a surprisingly large difference between spin-pumping induced damping of different interfaces. Our findings have importance on dynamics of spintronic devices based on magnetic multilayer materials.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Two-dimensional mutual synchronization in spin Hall nano-oscillator arrays

Spin Hall nano-oscillators (SHNOs) utilize pure spin currents to drive local regions of magnetic films and nanostructures into auto-oscillating precession. If such regions are placed in close proximity to each other they can interact and sometimes mutually synchronize, in pairs or in short linear chains. Here we demonstrate robust mutual synchronization of two-dimensional SHNO arrays ranging from 2 x 2 to 8 x 8 nano-constrictions, observed both electrically and using micro-Brillouin Light Scattering microscopy. The signal quality factor, $Q=f/Δf$, increases linearly with number of mutually synchronized nano-constrictions ($N$), reaching 170,000 in the largest arrays. While the microwave peak power first increases as $N^2$, it eventually levels off, indicating a non-zero relative phase shift between nano-constrictions. Our demonstration will enable the use of SHNO arrays in two-dimensional oscillator networks for high-quality microwave signal generation and neuromorphic computing.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Tuning spin torque nano-oscillator nonlinearity using He+ irradiation

We use He$^+$ irradiation to tune the nonlinearity, $\mathcal{N}$, of all-perpendicular spin-torque nano-oscillators (STNOs) using the He$^+$ fluence-dependent perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) of the [Co/Ni] free layer. Employing fluences from 6 to 20$\times10^{14}$~He$^{+}$/cm$^{2}$, we are able to tune $\mathcal{N}$ in an in-plane field from strongly positive to moderately negative. As the STNO microwave signal properties are mainly governed by $\mathcal{N}$, we can in this way directly control the threshold current, the current tunability of the frequency, and the STNO linewidth. In particular, we can dramatically improve the latter by more than two orders of magnitude. Our results are in good agreement with the theory for nonlinear auto-oscillators, confirm theoretical predictions of the role of nonlinearity, and demonstrate a straightforward path towards improving the microwave properties of STNOs.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2018

Mutual synchronization of constriction-based spin Hall nano-oscillators in weak in-plane fields

We study mutual synchronization in double nanoconstriction-based spin Hall nano-oscillators (SHNOs) under weak in-plane fields ($μ_0H_\mathrm{IP}$ = 30-40 mT) and also investigate its angular dependence. We compare SHNOs with different nano-constriction spacings of 300 and 900 nm. In all devices, mutual synchronization occurs below a certain critical angle, which is higher for the 300 nm spacing than for the 900 nm spacing, reflecting the stronger coupling at shorter distances. Alongside the synchronization, we observe a strong second harmonic consistent with predictions that the synchronization may be mediated by the propagation of second harmonic spin waves. However, although Brillouin Light Scattering microscopy confirms the synchronization, it fails to detect any related increase of the second harmonic. Micromagnetic simulations instead explain the angular dependent synchronization as predominantly due to magneto-dipolar coupling between neighboring SHNOs.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2018

Time resolved imaging of the non-linear bullet mode within an injection-locked nano-contact spin Hall nano-oscillator

Injection of a radio frequency (RF) current was used to phase lock the SHNO to the TRSKM. The out of plane magnetization was detected by means of the polar magneto optical Kerr effect (MOKE). However, longitudinal MOKE images were dominated by an artifact arising from the edges of the Au NCs. Time resolved imaging revealed the simultaneous excitation of a non-linear `bullet' mode at the centre of the device, once the DC current exceeded a threshold value, and ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) induced by the RF current. However, the FMR response observed for sub-critical DC current values exhibits an amplitude minimum at the centre, which is attributed to spreading of the RF spin current due to the reactance of the device structure. This FMR response can be subtracted to yield images of the bullet mode. As the DC current is increased above threshold, the bullet mode appears to increase in size, suggesting increased translational motion. The reduced spatial overlap of the bullet and FMR modes, and this putative translational motion, may impede the injection locking and contribute to the reduced locking range observed within NC-SHNO devices. This illustrates a more general need to control the geometry of an injection-locked oscillator so that the autonomous dynamics of the oscillator exhibit strong spatial overlap with those resulting from the injected signal.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Exchange dependent ultrafast magnetization dynamics in Fe$_{1-x}$Ni$_{x}$ alloys

Element specific ultrafast demagnetization was studied in Fe$_{1-x}$Ni$_{x}$ alloys, covering the concentration range between $0.1<x<0.9$. For all compositions, we observe a delay in the onset of Ni demagnetization relative to the Fe demagnetization. We find that the delay is correlated to the Curie temperature and hence also the exchange interaction. The temporal evolution of demagnetization is fitted to a magnon diffusion model based on the presupposition of enhanced ultrafast magnon generation in the Fe sublattice. The spin wave stiffness extracted from this model correspond well to known experimental values.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Mapping out the spin-wave modes of constriction-based spin Hall nano-oscillators in weak in-plane fields

We experimentally study the auto-oscillating spin-wave modes in NiFe/$β-$W constriction-based spin Hall nano-oscillators as a function of bias current, in-plane applied field strength, and azimuthal field angle, in the low-field range of 40-80 mT. We observe two different spin-wave modes: i) a linear-like mode confined to the minima of the internal field near the edges of the nanoconstriction, with weak frequency dependencies on the bias current and the applied field angle, and ii) a second, lower frequency mode that has significantly higher threshold current and stronger frequency dependencies on both bias current and the external field angle. Our micromagnetic modeling qualitatively reproduces the experimental data and reveals that the second mode is a spin-wave bullet and that the SHNO mode hops between the two modes, resulting in a substantial increase in linewidths. In contrast to the linear-like mode, the bullet is localized in the middle of the constriction and shrinks with increasing bias current. Utilizing intrinsic frequency doubling at zero field angle we can reach frequencies above 9 GHz in fields as low as 40 mT, which is important for the development of low-field spintronic oscillators with applications in microwave signal generation and neuromorphic computing.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Magnetic Droplet Soliton Nucleation in Oblique Fields

We study the auto-oscillating magnetodynamics in orthogonal spin torque nano-oscillators (STNOs) as a function of the out-of-plane (OOP) magnetic field angle. In perpendicular fields and at OOP field angles down to approximately 50 degrees we observe the nucleation of a droplet. However, for field angles below 50 degrees, experiments indicate that the droplet gives way to propagating spin waves, in agreement with our micromagnetic simulations. Theoretical calculations show that the physical mechanism behind these observations is the sign changing of spin-wave nonlinearity (SWN) by angle. In addition, we show that the presence of a strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) free layer in the system reverses the angular dependence of the SWN and dynamics in STNOs with respect to the known behavior determined for the in-plane magnetic anisotropy free layer. Our results are of fundamental interest in understanding the rich dynamics of nanoscale solitons and spin-wave dynamics in STNOs.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Anomalous nonlinearity of the magnonic edge mode

Nonlinearity of magneto-dynamics is typically described by a single constant, $\mathcal{N}$, with positive and negative values indicating repulsion and attraction of magnons, respectively. In thin magnetic films with easy-plane magnetic anisotropy, magnon attraction is typically achieved for an in-plane magnetization. At sufficient stimulus, e.g. via application of spin transfer torque, the attraction can give rise to self-localized magnetic solitons, such as spin wave bullets, which shrink as their amplitude increases. In contrast, for an oblique magnetization above a certain critical angle, the repulsion of magnons only allows for propagating modes, which expand when pumped more strongly. Here we demonstrate, both analytically and using micromagnetic simulations, that such a dichotomic description is inadequate for magnonic edge modes, which naturally appear in confined magnetic systems. In particular, we demonstrate that the confinement potential of such modes is nonlinear in nature and its contribution makes $\mathcal{N}$ non-monotonically dependent on their amplitude. As a prominent example, edge modes show compression and expansion for negative and positive $\mathcal{N}$, yet remain localized. In striking contrast to the extended geometries, edge magnons might also repeal even for an in-plane magnetization.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Damping's effect on the magnetodynamics of spin Hall nano-oscillators

We study the impact of spin wave damping ($α$) on the auto-oscillation properties of nano-constriction based spin Hall nano-oscillators (SHNOs). The SHNOs are based on a 5 nm Pt layer interfaced to a 5 nm Py$_{100-x-y}$Pt$_{x}$Ag$_{y}$ magnetic layer, where the Pt and Ag contents are co-varied to keep the saturation magnetization constant (within 10 %), while $α$ varies close to a factor of three. We systematically investigate the influence of the Gilbert damping on the magnetodynamics of these SHNOs by means of electrical microwave measurements. Under the condition of a constant field, the threshold current scales with the damping in the magnetic layer. The threshold current as a function of field shows a parabolic-like behavior, which we attribute to the evolution of the spatial profile of the auto-oscillation mode. The signal linewidth is smaller for the high-damping materials in low magnetic fields, although the lowest observed linewidth was measured for the alloy with least damping.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Tunable spin pumping in exchange coupled magnetic trilayers

Magnetic thin films at ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) leak angular momentum, which may be absorbed by adjacent layers. This phenomenon, known as spin pumping, is manifested by an increase in the resonance linewidth ($ΔH$), and the closely related Gilbert damping. Another effect of this transfer of spin currents is a dynamical and long-range coupling that can drive two magnetic layers into a collective precession when their FMR frequencies coincide. A collective behavior is also found in magnetic trilayers with interlayer exchange coupling (IEC). In this study we investigate the interplay between IEC and spin pumping, using Co/Cu/Py pseudo-spin values. We employ broadband FMR spectroscopy to explore both the frequency and coupling-strength dependence of $ΔH$. Our observations show that there exists a cut-off frequency, set by the IEC strength, below which the precession is truly collective and the spin pumping is suppressed. These results demonstrate that it is possible to control the spin pumping efficiency by varying the frequency or the interlayer exchange coupling.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Time-domain stability of parametric synchronization in a spin-torque nano-oscillator based on a magnetic tunnel junction

We report on a time-domain study of parametric synchronization in a magnetic tunnel junction based spin torque nano-oscillator (STNO). Time-domain measurements of the instantaneous frequency ($f_{i}$) of a parametrically synchronized STNO show random short-term unlocking of the STNO signal for low injected radio-frequency (RF) power, which cannot be revealed in time-averaged frequency domain measurements. Macrospin simulations reproduce the experimental results and reveal that the random unlocking during synchronization is driven by thermal fluctuations. We show that by using a high injected RF power, random unlocking of the STNO can be avoided. However, a perfect synchronization characterized by complete suppression of phase noise, so-called phase noise squeezing, can be obtained only at a significantly higher RF power. Our macrospin simulations suggest that a lower temperature and a higher positive ratio of the field-like torque to the spin transfer torque reduce the threshold RF power required for phase noise squeezing under parametric synchronization.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Direct observation of magnetic droplet solitons in all-perpendicular spin torque nano-oscillators

Magnetic droplets are non-topological dynamical solitons that can be nucleated and sustained in nano-contact based spin torque nano-oscillators (NC-STNOs) with perpendicular anisotropy free layers. While originally predicted in all-perpendicular NC-STNOs, all experimental demonstrations have so far relied on orthogonal devices with an in-plane polarizing layer that requires a strong magnetic field for droplet nucleation. Here, we instead show the nucleation and sustained operation of magnetic droplets in all-perpendicular NC-STNOs in modest perpendicular fields and over a wide range of nano-contact size. The droplet is observed electrically as an intermediate resistance state accompanied by broadband low-frequency microwave noise. Using canted fields, which introduce a non-zero relative angle between the free and fixed layer, the actual droplet precession frequency can also be determined. Finally, the droplet size, its perimeter width, and its fully reversed core are directly observed underneath a 80 nm diameter nano-contact using scanning transmission x-ray microscopy on both the Ni and Co edges. The droplet diameter is 150 nm, i.e. almost twice the nominal size of the nano-contact, and the droplet has a perimeter width of about 70 nm.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

On the origin of magnetization auto-oscillations in constriction-based spin Hall nano-oscillators

We use micromagnetic simulations to map out and compare, the linear and auto-oscillating modes in constriction-based spin Hall nano-oscillators as a function of applied magnetic field with varying magnitude and out-of-plane angle. We demonstrate that for all possible applied field configurations the auto-oscillations emerge from the localized linear modes of the constriction. For field directions tending towards the plane, these modes are of the so-called "edge" type, i.e. localized at the opposite sides of the constriction. When the magnetization direction instead approaches the film normal, the modes transform to the so-called "bulk" type, i.e. localized inside the constriction with substantially increased precession volume, consistent with the re-distribution of the magnetic charges from the sides to the top and bottom surfaces of the constriction. In general, the threshold current of the corresponding auto-oscillations increases with the applied field strength and decreases with its out-of-plane angle, consistent with the behavior of the internal field and in good agreement with a macrospin model. A quantitative agreement is then achieved by taking into account the strongly non-uniform character of the system via a mean-field approximation. Both the Oe field and the spin transfer torque from the drive current increase the localization and decrease the frequency of the observed mode. Furthermore, the anti-symmetric Oe field breaks the lateral symmetry, favoring the localized mode at one of the two constriction edges, in particular for large out-of-plane field angles where the threshold current is significantly increased and the edge demagnetization is suppressed.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

All-Optical Study of Tunable Ultrafast Spin Dynamics in [Co/Pd]-NiFe Systems: The Role of Spin-Twist Structure on Gilbert Damping

We investigate optically induced ultrafast magnetization dynamics in [Co(0.5 nm)/Pd(1 nm)]x5/NiFe(t) exchange-spring samples with tilted perpendicular magnetic anisotropy using a time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect magnetometer. The competition between the out-of-plane anisotropy of the hard layer, the in-plane anisotropy of the soft layer and the applied bias field reorganizes the spins in the soft layer, which are modified further with the variation in t. The spin-wave spectrum, the ultrafast demagnetization time, and the extracted damping coefficient all depend on the spin distribution in the soft layer, while the latter two also depend on the spin-orbit coupling between the Co and Pd layers. The spin-wave spectra change from multimode to single-mode as t increases. At the maximum field reached in this study, H=2.5 kOe, the damping shows a nonmonotonic dependence on t with a minimum at t=7.5 nm. For t<7.5 nm, intrinsic effects dominate, whereas for t>7.5 nm, extrinsic effects govern the damping mechanisms.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2016

Homodyne-detected ferromagnetic resonance of in-plane magnetized nano-contacts: composite spin wave resonances and their excitation mechanism

This work provides a detailed investigation of the measured in-plane field-swept homodyne-detected ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) spectra of an extended Co/Cu/NiFe pseudo spin valve stack using a nanocontact (NC) geometry. The magnetodynamics are generated by a pulse-modulated microwave current and the resulting rectified dc mixing voltage, which appears across the NC at resonance, is detected using a lock-in amplifier. Most notably, we find that the measured spectra of the NiFe layer are composite in nature and highly asymmetric, consistent with the broadband excitation of multiple modes. Additionally, the data must be fit with two Lorentzian functions in order to extract a reasonable value for the Gilbert damping of the NiFe. Aided by micromagnetic simulations, we conclude that (i) for in-plane fields the rf Oersted field in the vicinity of the NC plays the dominant role in generating the observed spectra, (ii) in addition to the FMR mode, exchange dominated spin waves are also generated, and (iii) the NC diameter sets the mean wavevector of the exchange dominated spin wave, in good agreement with the dispersion relation.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Spin-Torque and Spin-Hall Nano-Oscillators

This paper reviews the state of the art in spin-torque and spin Hall effect driven nano-oscillators. After a brief introduction to the underlying physics, the authors discuss different implementations of these oscillators, their functional properties in terms of frequency range, output power, phase noise, and modulation rates, and their inherent propensity for mutual synchronization. Finally, the potential for these oscillators in a wide range of applications, from microwave signal sources and detectors to neuromorphic computation elements, is discussed together with the specific electronic circuitry that has so far been designed to harness this potential.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Tunable damping, saturation magnetization, and exchange stiffness of half-Heusler NiMnSb thin films

The half-metallic half-Heusler alloy NiMnSb is a promising candidate for applications in spintronic devices due to its low magnetic damping and its rich anisotropies. Here we use ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) measurements and calculations from first principles to investigate how the composition of the epitaxially grown NiMnSb influences the magnetodynamic properties of saturation magnetization $M_S$, Gilbert damping $α$, and exchange stiffness $A$. $M_S$ and $A$ are shown to have a maximum for stoichiometric composition, while the Gilbert damping is minimum. We find excellent quantitative agreement between theory and experiment for $M_S$ and $α$. The calculated $A$ shows the same trend as the experimental data, but has a larger magnitude. Additionally to the unique in-plane anisotropy of the material, these tunabilities of the magnetodynamic properties can be taken advantage of when employing NiMnSb films in magnonic devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗