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.

QS 2016

The spin Hall effect 1, 2 in a non-magnetic metal with spin-orbit coupling injects transverse spin currents into adjacent magnetic layers, where the resulting spin transfer torque 3-5 can drive spin wave auto-oscillations 6-8. Such spin Hall nano-oscillators (SHNOs) hold great promise as microwave signal generators and magnonic spin wave injectors. Here we show that SHNOs can also be mutually synchronized with unprecedented efficiency. We demonstrate mutual synchronization of up to nine individual SHNOs, each separated by 300 nm. Through further tailoring of the connection regions we can extend the synchronization range to 4 μm. The mutual synchronization is observed electrically as an increase in the power and coherence of the microwave signal, and confirmed optically using micro-Brillouin Light Scattering microscopy 9, 10 as two spin wave regions sharing the same spectral content. Our results enable both highly coherent SHNOs and synchronization based magnonic circuits 11-14 where energy efficient wave computing on the nano-scale may compete directly with CMOS based digital logic.

The synchronization of multiple nanocontact spin-torque oscillators (NC-STOs) is mediated by propagating spin waves (SWs). Although it has been shown that the Oersted field generated in the vicinity of the NC can dramatically alter the emission pattern of SWs, its role in the synchronization behaviour of multiple NCs has not been considered so far. Here we investigate the synchronization behaviour in multiple NC-STOs oriented either vertically or horizontally, with respect to the in-plane component of the external field. Synchronization is promoted (impeded) by the Oersted field landscape when the NCs are oriented vertically (horizontally) due to the highly anisotropic SW propagation. Not only is robust synchronization between two oscillators observed for separations larger than 1,000 nm, but synchronization of up to five oscillators, a new record, has been observed in the vertical array geometry. Furthermore, the synchronization can no longer be considered mutual in nature.

Spin Hall nano-oscillators (SHNOs) are an emerging class of pure spin current driven microwave signal generators. Through the fabrication of 20 nm nano-constrictions in Pt/NiFe bilayers, we demonstrate that SHNOs can be scaled down to truly nanoscopic dimensions, with the added benefit of ultra-low operating currents and improved power conversion efficiency. The lateral confinement leads to a strong shape anisotropy field as well as an additional demagnetizing field whose reduction with increasing auto-oscillation amplitude can yield a positive current tunability contrary to the negative tunability commonly observed for localized excitations in extended magnetic layers. Micromagnetic simulations corroborate the experimental findings and suggest that the active magnetodynamic area resides up to 100 nm outside of the nano-constriction.