Qiyuan Zhu

Current-induced magnetic skyrmions oscillator

Spin transfer nano-oscillators (STNOs) are nanoscale devices which are promising candidates for on-chip microwave signal sources. For application purposes, they are expected to be nano-sized, to have broad working frequency, narrow spectral linewidth, high output power and low power consumption. In this paper, we demonstrate by micromagnetic simulation that magnetic skyrmions, topologically stable nanoscale magnetization configurations, can be excited into oscillation by a spin-polarized current. Thus, we propose a new kind of STNO using magnetic skyrmions. It is found that the working frequency of this oscillator can range from nearly 0 Hz to gigahertz. The linewidth can be smaller than 1 MHz. Furthermore, this device can work at a current density magnitude as small as 108 A m−2, and it is also expected to improve the output power. Our studies may contribute to the development of skyrmion-based microwave generators.

Static property and current-driven precession of 2π-vortex in nano-disk with Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction

An interesting type of skyrmion-like spin texture, 2π-vortex, is obtained in a thin nano-disk with Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. We have simulated the existence of 2π-vortex by micromagnetic method. Furthermore, the spin polarized current is introduced in order to drive the motion of 2π-vortex in a nano-disk with diameter 2 R = 140 nm. When the current density matches with the current injection area, 2π-vortex soon reaches a stable precession (3∼4 ns). The relationship between the precession frequency of 2π-vortex and the current density is almost linear. It may have potential use in spin torque nano-oscillators.

Current-induced domain wall motion in nanostrip–nanobars system

Transverse domain wall motion in strips with a series of nanobars placed perpendicularly on either side has been investigated systematically by micromagnetic simulation. Domain wall motion in strips is driven by electric current owing to the spin transfer torque effect. In a strip in contact with nanobars, a domain wall can withstand a high current density (above A/cm2) to maintain structural stability, but the domain wall velocity cannot be increased markedly. Domain wall motion in strips not in contact with nanobars can reach a higher speed under a relatively low current density. To examine the effects of nanobars on domain wall motion, the DW depinning energy and the Walker limit uw at different parameters are discussed systematically.

Dynamic response for Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction on bubble-like magnetic solitons driven by spin-polarized current

By using micromagnetic simulations, we studied the dynamic response for different bubble-like magnetic solitons in the [CoPt-CoNi]/Cu/CoNi magnetic multilayer with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. It is found that a localized spin-polarized current can not only nucleate a dissipative magnetic droplet but also excite the in-plane domain wall (DW) oscillation at the edge of bubble-like magnetic solitons. The dependence of oscillation frequency on current for the dissipative magnetic droplet is hysteretic in the absence of the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interactions (DMI). In the presence of DMI, three different bubble-like magnetic solitons are excited: (1) singular magnetic droplet, (2) pseudonormal magnetic droplet, (3) dynamical skyrmion. Meanwhile, the oscillation frequencies of these magnetic solitons have different response as current density varies. These results open up new possibilities for the applications of magnetic soliton-based spin transfer nano-oscillators.

Faster motion of double 360° domain walls system induced by spin-polarized current

By micromagnetic simulation, we investigated a double 360° domain walls system in two parallel nanowires. Two domain walls are coupled to each other via magnetostatic interaction. When a spin-polarized current is applied to only one nanowire or both nanowires with the same direction, the two domain walls propagate along nanowires together. The critical velocity of such system is obviously higher than that of a single 360° domain wall. The interaction between the two domain walls can be modeled as two bodies that connected by a spring, and we analyzed the coupling characteritics of the double 360° domain walls at last.

Phase locking of moving magnetic vortices in bridge-coupled nanodisks

In this paper, phase locking dynamics of vortices induced by spin transfer torque in bridge-coupled nanodisks are studied by micromagnetic simulations. In the presence of the bridge coupling, the required time for the phase locking is dramatically reduced, and the phase difference between the two vortices keeps at a nonzero value after the phase locking. Moreover, the phase difference is affected significantly by bridge coupling, Oersted field distribution, nanodisk size, as well as in-plane bias magnetic field. In addition, the coupled gyrotropic frequency of vortices depends linearly on the perpendicular magnetic field. This systematic study of phase locking parameters, especially the phase difference, is important for the applications of vortex-based spin-torque nano-oscillators.

Effect of Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction on the magnetic vortex oscillator driven by spin-polarized current

By micromagnetic simulation, we investigated the dynamic of magnetic vortex driven by spin-polarized current in Permalloy nanodisks in the presence of interfacial/superficial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions (DMI). It is found that spin-polarized current can drive the vortex precession. In the presence of DMI, the oscillation frequency of the vortex is about 3 times higher than that of without DMI for the same nanodisk. Moreover, the linewidth is more narrow than that of without DMI when the radius of nanodisk is 50 nm. In addition, the vortex can support a higher current density than that of without DMI. Introduction of DMI in this system can provide a new way to design magnetic vortex oscillator.

Phase locking of vortex cores in two coupled magnetic nanopillars

Phase locking dynamics of the coupled vortex cores in two identical magnetic spin valves induced by spin-polarized current are studied by means of micromagnetic simulations. Our results show that the available current range of phase locking can be expanded significantly by the use of constrained polarizer, and the vortices undergo large orbit motions outside the polarization areas. The effects of polarization areas and dipolar interaction on the phase locking dynamics are studied systematically. Phase locking parameters extracted from simulations are discussed by theoreticians. The dynamics of vortices influenced by spin valve geometry and vortex chirality are discussed at last. This work provides deeper insights into the dynamics of phase locking and the results are important for the design of spin-torque nano-oscillators.

Current-induced 360° domain wall motion with Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction

By micromagnetic simulation, we investigated the effect of the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (DMI) on the static and dynamic characteristics of a 360° domain wall. Simulation results show that both the energy and the size of a 360° domain wall decrease with the increase of DMI intensity. In the presence of DMI, the stable motion of a 360° domain wall can be either along the +x direction or −x direction depending on the sign of the DMI. For stable motion, the maximum velocity of a 360° domain wall is 19.87% larger than that without the DMI. Increasing the current density beyond the Walker threshold, conversion between the 360° domain wall state and the vortex state was observed. Further increasing the current density, the proliferation of 360° domain walls becomes possible. Moreover, the 360° domain wall becomes more flexible and easier to pass a notch by considering the DMI. These findings may offer guidance for the development of 360° domain wall-based racetrack memories.