arXiv subjects

Qiming Shao

Publications and source records attributed to Qiming Shao.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2024

Quantum-Inspired Mean Field Probabilistic Model for Combinatorial Optimization Problems

Combinatorial optimization problems are pivotal across many fields. Among these, Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) problems, central to fields like portfolio optimization, network design, and computational biology, are NP-hard and require exponential computational resources. To address these challenges, we develop a novel Quantum-Inspired Mean Field (QIMF) probabilistic model that approximates solutions to QUBO problems with enhanced accuracy and efficiency. The QIMF model draws inspiration from quantum measurement principles and leverages the mean field probabilistic model. We incorporate a measurement grouping technique and an amplitude-based shot allocation strategy, both critical for optimizing cost functions with a polynomial speedup over traditional methods. Our extensive empirical studies demonstrate significant improvements in solution evaluation for large-scale problems of portfolio selection, the weighted maxcut problem, and the Ising model. Specifically, using S&P 500 data from 2022 and 2023, QIMF improves cost values by 152.8% and 12.5%, respectively, compared to the state-of-the-art baselines. Furthermore, when evaluated on increasingly larger datasets for QUBO problems, QIMF's scalability demonstrates its potential for large-scale QUBO challenges.

math.OC↗

arXiv2024

Quantum Graph Optimization Algorithm

Quadratic unconstrained binary optimization (QUBO) tasks are very important in chemistry, finance, job scheduling, and so on, which can be represented using graph structures, with the variables as nodes and the interaction between them as edges. Variational quantum algorithms, especially the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) and its variants, present a promising way, potentially exceeding the capabilities of classical algorithms, for addressing QUBO tasks. However, the possibility of using message-passing machines, inspired by classical graph neural networks, to enhance the power and performance of these quantum algorithms for QUBO tasks was not investigated. This study introduces a novel variational quantum graph optimization algorithm that integrates the message-passing mechanism, which demonstrates significant improvements in performance for solving QUBO problems in terms of resource efficiency and solution precision, compared to QAOA, its variants, and other quantum graph neural networks. Furthermore, in terms of scalability on QUBO tasks, our algorithm shows superior performance compared to QAOA, presenting a substantial advancement in the field of quantum approximate optimization.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Experimental evidence for Berry curvature multipoles in antiferromagnets

Berry curvature multipoles appearing in topological quantum materials have recently attracted much attention. Their presence can manifest in novel phenomena, such as nonlinear anomalous Hall effects (NLAHE). The notion of Berry curvature multipoles extends our understanding of Berry curvature effects on the material properties. Hence, research on this subject is of fundamental importance and may also enable future applications in energy harvesting and high-frequency technology. It was shown that a Berry curvature dipole can give rise to a 2nd order NLAHE in materials of low crystalline symmetry. Here, we demonstrate a fundamentally new mechanism for Berry curvature multipoles in antiferromagnets that are supported by the underlying magnetic symmetries. Carrying out electric transport measurements on the kagome antiferromagnet FeSn, we observe a 3rd order NLAHE, which appears as a transverse voltage response at the 3rd harmonic frequency when a longitudinal a.c. current drive is applied. Interestingly, this NLAHE is strongest at and above room temperature. We combine these measurements with a scaling law analysis, a symmetry analysis, model calculations, first-principle calculations, and magnetic Monte-Carlo simulations to show that the observed NLAHE is induced by a Berry curvature quadrupole appearing in the spin-canted state of FeSn. At a practical level, our study establishes NLAHE as a sensitive probe of antiferromagnetic phase transitions in other materials, such as moiré superlattices, two-dimensional van der Waal magnets, and quantum spin liquid candidates, that remain poorly understood to date. More broadly, Berry curvature multipole effects are predicted to exist for 90 magnetic point groups. Hence, our work opens a new research area to study a variety of topological magnetic materials through nonlinear measurement protocols.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Strong magnon-magnon coupling in an ultralow damping all-magnetic-insulator heterostructure

Magnetic insulators such as yttrium iron garnets (YIGs) are of paramount importance for spin-wave or magnonic devices as their ultralow damping enables ultralow power dissipation that is free of Joule heating, exotic magnon quantum state, and coherent coupling to other wave excitations. Magnetic insulator heterostructures bestow superior structural and magnetic properties and house immense design space thanks to the strong and engineerable exchange interaction between individual layers. To fully unleash their potential, realizing low damping and strong exchange coupling simultaneously is critical, which often requires high quality interface. Here, we show that such a demand is realized in an all-insulator thulium iron garnet (TmIG)/YIG bilayer system. The ultralow dissipation rates in both YIG and TmIG, along with their significant spin-spin interaction at the interface, enable strong and coherent magnon-magnon coupling with a benchmarking cooperativity value larger than the conventional ferromagnetic metal-based heterostructures. The coupling strength can be tuned by varying the magnetic insulator layer thickness and magnon modes, which is consistent with analytical calculations and micromagnetic simulations. Our results demonstrate TmIG/YIG as a novel platform for investigating hybrid magnonic phenomena and open opportunities in magnon devices comprising all-insulator heterostructures.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

Nonreciprocal dynamics of ferrimagnetic bimerons

Magnetic bimerons are topologically nontrivial spin textures in in-plane easy-axis magnets, which can be used as particle-like information carriers. Here, we report a theoretical study on the nonreciprocal dynamics of asymmetrical ferrimagnetic (FiM) bimerons induced by spin currents. The FiM bimerons have the ability to move at a speed of kilometers per second and do not show the skyrmion Hall effect at the angular momentum compensation point. Our micromagnetic simulations and analytical results demonstrate that spin currents are able to induce the nonreciprocal transport and a drift motion of the FiM bimeron even if the system is at the angular momentum compensation point. By analyzing the current-induced effective fields, we find that the nonreciprocal transport is attributed to the asymmetry of the bimeron structure. Our results are useful for understanding the physics of bimerons in ferrimagnets and may provide guidelines for building bimeron-based spintronic devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

Skyrmion Dynamics in the Presence of Deformation

Magnetic skyrmions are topological spin textures promising for future high-density and nonvolatile memory. It is crucial to understand the current-driven skyrmion dynamics in the presence of deformation, of which an analytical model, however, remains elusive. Here we extend Thiele's model by considering both the radial and tangential forces. Our model attributes the skyrmion deformation to the current-induced rotational symmetry breaking, which includes magnetization canting and domain wall width variation. Our predictions of skyrmion radius and nonlinear dynamics are consistent with micromagnetic simulation results. Besides, we show that by applying an in-plane magnetic field, the deformation of a skyrmion can be suppressed, and even the compression of a skyrmion can be achieved. Our model provides a generic way to analyze the skyrmion deformation and may inspire applications based on nonlinear skyrmion dynamics.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

Temperature dependence of the damping parameter in the ferrimagnet Gd$_3$Fe$_5$O$_{12}$

The damping parameter $α_{\text{FM}}$ in ferrimagnets defined according to the conventional practice for ferromagnets is known to be strongly temperature dependent and diverge at the angular momentum compensation temperature, where the net angular momentum vanishes. However, recent theoretical and experimental developments on ferrimagnetic metals suggest that the damping parameter can be defined in such a way, which we denote by $α_{\text{FiM}}$, that it is free of the diverging anomaly at the angular momentum compensation point and is little dependent on temperature. To further understand the temperature dependence of the damping parameter in ferrimagnets, we analyze several data sets from literature for a ferrimagnetic insulator, gadolinium iron garnet, by using the two different definitions of the damping parameter. Using two methods to estimate the individual sublattice magnetizations, which yield results consistent with each other, we found that in all the used data sets, the damping parameter $α_{\text{FiM}}$ does not increase at the angular compensation temperature and shows no anomaly whereas the conventionally defined $α_{\text{FM}}$ is strongly dependent on the temperature.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

On the Temperature-dependent Characteristics of Perpendicular Shape Anisotropy-Spin Transfer Torque-Magnetic Random Access Memories (PSA-STT-MRAMs)

The perpendicular shape anisotropy-spin transfer torque-magnetic random access memories (PSASTT-MRAMs) takes advantage of the nanopillar free-layer geometry for securing a good thermal stability factor from the shape anisotropy of the nanomagnet. Such a concept is particularly well-suited for small junctions down to a few nanometers. At such a volume size, the nanopillar can be effectively modeled as a Stoner-Wohlfarth (SW) particle, and the shape anisotropy scales with the spontaneous magnetization by ~ Ms^2. For almost all ferromagnets, Ms is a strong function of temperature, therefore, the temperature-dependent shape anisotropy is an important factor to be considered in any modeling of the temperature-dependent performance of PSA-STT-MRAMs. In this work, we summarize and discuss various possible temperature-dependent contributions to the thermal stability factor and coercivity of the PSA-STT-MRAMs by modeling and comparing different temperature scaling and parameters. We reveal nontrivial corrections to the thermal stability factor by considering both temperature-dependent shape and interfacial anisotropies. The coercivity, blocking temperature, and electrical switching characteristics that resulted from incorporating such a temperature dependence are also discussed, in conjugation with the nanomagnet dimension and coherence volume.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

Roadmap of spin-orbit torques

Spin-orbit torque (SOT) is an emerging technology that enables the efficient manipulation of spintronic devices. The initial processes of interest in SOTs involved electric fields, spin-orbit coupling, conduction electron spins and magnetization. More recently interest has grown to include a variety of other processes that include phonons, magnons, or heat. Over the past decade, many materials have been explored to achieve a larger SOT efficiency. Recently, holistic design to maximize the performance of SOT devices has extended material research from a nonmagnetic layer to a magnetic layer. The rapid development of SOT has spurred a variety of SOT-based applications. In this Roadmap paper, we first review the theories of SOTs by introducing the various mechanisms thought to generate or control SOTs, such as the spin Hall effect, the Rashba-Edelstein effect, the orbital Hall effect, thermal gradients, magnons, and strain effects. Then, we discuss the materials that enable these effects, including metals, metallic alloys, topological insulators, two-dimensional materials, and complex oxides. We also discuss the important roles in SOT devices of different types of magnetic layers. Afterward, we discuss device applications utilizing SOTs. We discuss and compare three-terminal and two-terminal SOT-magnetoresistive random-access memories (MRAMs); we mention various schemes to eliminate the need for an external field. We provide technological application considerations for SOT-MRAM and give perspectives on SOT-based neuromorphic devices and circuits. In addition to SOT-MRAM, we present SOT-based spintronic terahertz generators, nano-oscillators, and domain wall and skyrmion racetrack memories. This paper aims to achieve a comprehensive review of SOT theory, materials, and applications, guiding future SOT development in both the academic and industrial sectors.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Two-Dimensional Materials for Energy-Efficient Spin-Orbit Torque Devices

Spin-orbit torques (SOTs), which rely on spin current generation from charge current in a nonmagnetic material, promise an energy-efficient scheme for manipulating magnetization in magnetic devices. A critical topic for spintronic devices using SOTs is to enhance the charge to spin conversion efficiency. Besides, the current-induced spin polarization is usually limited to in-plane, whereas out-of-plane spin polarization could be favored for efficient perpendicular magnetization switching. Recent advances in utilizing two important classes of van der Waals materials$-$topological insulators and transition-metal dichalcogenides$-$as spin sources to generate SOT shed light on addressing these challenges. Topological insulators such as bismuth selenide have shown a giant SOT efficiency, which is larger than those from three-dimensional heavy metals by at least one order of magnitude. Transition-metal dichalcogenides such as tungsten telluride have shown a current-induced out-of-plane spin polarization, which is allowed by the reduced symmetry. In this review, we use symmetry arguments to predict and analyze SOTs in van der Waal material-based heterostructures. We summarize the recent progress of SOT studies based on topological insulators and transition-metal dichalcogenides and show how these results are in line with the symmetry arguments. At last, we identify unsolved issues in the current studies and suggest three potential research directions in this field.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Néel-type skyrmion in WTe2/Fe3GeTe2 van der Waals heterostructure

The promise of high-density and low-energy-consumption devices motivates the search for layered structures that stabilize chiral spin textures such as topologically protected skyrmions. At the same time, layered structures provide a new platform for the discovery of new physics and effects. Recently discovered long-range intrinsic magnetic orders in the two-dimensional van der Waals materials offer new opportunities. Here we demonstrate the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction and Néel-type skyrmions are induced at the WTe2/Fe3GeTe2 interface. Fe3GeTe2 is a ferromagnetic material with strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. We demonstrate that the strong spin orbit interaction in 1T'-WTe2 does induce a large interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction at the interface with Fe3GeTe2 due to the inversion symmetry breaking to stabilize skyrmions. Transport measurements show the topological Hall effect in this heterostructure for temperatures below 100 K. Furthermore, Lorentz transmission electron microscopy is used to directly image Néel-type skyrmions along with aligned and stripe-like domain structure. This interfacial coupling induced Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction is estimated to have a large energy of 1.0 mJ/m^2, which can stabilize the Néel-type skyrmions in this heterostructure. This work paves a path towards the skyrmionic devices based on van der Waals heterostructures.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2020

Dynamics of an elliptical ferromagnetic skyrmion driven by the spin-orbit torque

Magnetic skyrmion is a promising building block for developing information storage and computing devices. It can be stabilized in a ferromagnetic thin film with the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI). The moving ferromagnetic skyrmion may show the skyrmion Hall effect, that is, the skyrmion shows a transverse shift when it is driven by a spin current. Here, we numerically and theoretically study the current-driven dynamics of a ferromagnetic nanoscale skyrmion in the presence of the anisotropic DMI, where the skyrmion has an elliptical shape. The skyrmion Hall effect of the elliptical skyrmion is investigated. It is found that the skyrmion Hall angle can be controlled by tuning the profile of elliptical skyrmion. Our results reveal the relation between the skyrmion shape and the skyrmion Hall effect, which could be useful for building skyrmion-based spintronic devices with preferred skyrmion Hall angle. Also, our results provide a method for the minimization of skyrmion Hall angle for applications based on in-line motion of skyrmions.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Phase-Change Control of Interlayer Exchange Coupling

Changing the interlayer exchange coupling between magnetic layers in-situ is a key issue of spintronics, as it allows for the optimization of properties that are desirable for applications, including magnetic sensing and memory. In this paper, we utilize the phase change material VO2 as a spacer layer to regulate the interlayer exchange coupling between ferromagnetic layers with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. The successful growth of ultra-thin (several nanometres) VO2 films is realized by sputtering at room temperature, which further enables the fabrication of [Pt/Co]2/VO2/[Co/Pt]2 multilayers with distinct interfaces. Such a magnetic multilayer exhibits an evolution from antiferromagnetic coupling to ferromagnetic coupling as the VO2 undergoes a phase change. The underlying mechanism originates from the change in the electronic structure of the spacer layer from an insulating to a metallic state. As a demonstration of phase change spintronics, this work may reveal the great potential of material innovations for next-generation spintronics.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Topological Hall effect at above room temperature in heterostructures composed of a magnetic insulator and a heavy metal

Non-volatile memory and computing technology rely on efficient read and write of ultra-tiny information carriers that do not wear out. Magnetic skyrmions are emerging as a potential carrier since they are topologically robust nanoscale spin textures that can be manipulated with ultralow current density. To date, most of skyrmions are reported in metallic films, which suffer from additional Ohmic loss and thus high energy dissipation. Therefore, skyrmions in magnetic insulators are of technological importance for low-power information processing applications due to their low damping and the absence of Ohmic loss. Moreover, they attract fundamental interest in studying various magnon-skyrmion interactions11. Skyrmions have been observed in one insulating material Cu2OSeO3 at cryogenic temperatures, where they are stabilized by bulk Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. Here, we report the observation of magnetic skyrmions that survive above room temperature in magnetic insulator/heavy metal heterostructures, i.e., thulium iron garnet/platinum. The presence of these skyrmions results from the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction at the interface and is identified by the emergent topological Hall effect. Through tuning the magnetic anisotropy via varying temperature, we observe skyrmions in a large window of external magnetic field and enhanced stability of skyrmions in the easy-plane anisotropy regime. Our results will help create a new platform for insulating skyrmion-based room temperature low dissipation spintronic applications.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Highly efficient spin-orbit torque and switching of layered ferromagnet Fe3GeTe2

Among van der Waals (vdW) layered ferromagnets, Fe3GeTe2 (FGT) is an excellent candidate material to form FGT/heavy metal heterostructures for studying the effect of spin-orbit torques (SOT). Its metallicity, strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy built in the single atomic layers, relatively high Curie temperature (Tc about 225 K) and electrostatic gate tunability offer a tantalizing possibility of achieving the ultimate high SOT limit in monolayer all-vdW nanodevices. The spin current generated in Pt exerts a damping-like SOT on FGT magnetization. At about 2.5x1011 A/m2 current density,SOT causes the FGT magnetization to switch, which is detected by the anomalous Hall effect of FGT. To quantify the SOT effect, we measure the second harmonic Hall responses as the applied magnetic field rotates the FGT magnetization in the plane. Our analysis shows that the SOT efficiency is comparable with that of the best heterostructures containing three-dimensional (3D) ferromagnetic metals and much larger than that of heterostructures containing 3D ferrimagnetic insulators. Such large efficiency is attributed to the atomically flat FGT/Pt interface, which demonstrates the great potential of exploiting vdW heterostructures for highly efficient spintronic nanodevices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Exploring interfacial exchange coupling and sublattice effect in heavy metal/ferrimagnetic insulator heterostructures using Hall measurements, x-ray magnetic circular dichroism, and neutron reflectometry

We use temperature-dependent Hall measurements to identify contributions of spin Hall, magnetic proximity, and sublattice effects to the anomalous Hall signal in heavy metal/ferrimagnetic insulator heterostructures with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. This approach enables detection of both the magnetic proximity effect onset temperature and the magnetization compensation temperature and provides essential information regarding the interfacial exchange coupling. Onset of a magnetic proximity effect yields a local extremum in the temperature-dependent anomalous Hall signal, which occurs at higher temperature as magnetic insulator thickness increases. This magnetic proximity effect onset occurs at much higher temperature in Pt than W. The magnetization compensation point is identified by a sharp anomalous Hall sign change and divergent coercive field. We directly probe the magnetic proximity effect using x-ray magnetic circular dichroism and polarized neutron reflectometry, which reveal an antiferromagnetic coupling between W and the magnetic insulator. Finally, we summarize the exchange-coupling configurations and the anomalous Hall-effect sign of the magnetized heavy metal in various heavy metal/magnetic insulator heterostructures.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Strong Rashba-Edelstein Effect-Induced Spin-Orbit Torques in Monolayer Transition-Metal Dichalcogenide/Ferromagnet Bilayers

The electronic and optoelectronic properties of two dimensional materials have been extensively explored in graphene and layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Spintronics in these two-dimensional materials could provide novel opportunities for future electronics, for example, efficient generation of spin current, which should enable the efficient manipulation of magnetic elements. So far, the quantitative determination of charge current induced spin current and spin-orbit torques (SOTs) on the magnetic layer adjacent to two-dimensional materials is still lacking. Here, we report a large SOT generated by current-induced spin accumulation through the Rashba-Edelstein effect in the composites of monolayer TMD (MoS$_2$ or WSe$_2$)/CoFeB bilayer. The effective spin conductivity corresponding to the SOT turns out to be almost temperature-independent. Our results suggest that the charge-spin conversion in the chemical vapor deposition-grown large-scale monolayer TMDs could potentially lead to high energy efficiency for magnetization reversal and convenient device integration for future spintronics based on two-dimensional materials.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Role of dimensional crossover on spin-orbit torque efficiency in magnetic insulator thin films

Magnetic insulators (MIs) attract tremendous interest for spintronic applications due to low Gilbert damping and absence of Ohmic loss. Magnetic order of MIs can be manipulated and even switched by spin-orbit torques (SOTs) generated through spin Hall effect and Rashba-Edelstein effect in heavy metal/MI bilayers. SOTs on MIs are more intriguing than magnetic metals since SOTs cannot be transferred to MIs through direct injection of electron spins. Understanding of SOTs on MIs remains elusive, especially how SOTs scale with the film thickness. Here, we observe the critical role of dimensionality on the SOT efficiency by systematically studying the MI layer thickness dependent SOT efficiency in tungsten/thulium iron garnet (W/TmIG) bilayers. We first show that the TmIG thin film evolves from two-dimensional to three-dimensional magnetic phase transitions as the thickness increases, due to the suppression of long-wavelength thermal fluctuation. Then, we report the significant enhancement of the measured SOT efficiency as the thickness increases. We attribute this effect to the increase of the magnetic moment density in concert with the suppression of thermal fluctuations. At last, we demonstrate the current-induced SOT switching in the W/TmIG bilayers with a TmIG thickness up to 15 nm. The switching current density is comparable with those of heavy metal/ferromagnetic metal cases. Our findings shed light on the understanding of SOTs in MIs, which is important for the future development of ultrathin MI-based low-power spintronics.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗