Quasi-linear Spin Torque Nanoscale Oscillators
- Detailed Technology Description
- Spin-torque nano-oscillators (STNO) were developed that overcome the nonlinearity associated with conventional STNOs and produce tunable, stable signals at much narrower linewidths.
- Others
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US patent application 14/760,999
- *Abstract
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Spin-torque nano-oscillators (STNOs) were developed that overcome the nonlinearity associated with conventional STNOs and produce tunable, stable signals at much narrower linewidths. STNOs are nanomagnetic devices thatconvert DC electrical current into microwave signals. The technology has potential applications for low-power, nanoscale, current-tunable RF components that can be easily fabricated on-chip. Unfortunately the non-linearity of typical STNOs results inphase instability and broadens the oscillator linewidth, creating high noise levels. Most technological applications will require considerable improvements in STNO phase stability.
The Cornellinvention caneffectively eliminate the inherently non-linearnature of the STNO via an internal spin torque mechanism that introducesintrinsic negative feedback of power fluctuations into the device operation. Inparticular, the spin currents are applied in a non-uniform manner to both excitethe nano magnets into oscillations and generate dynamic damping at largeamplitude as a feedback to reduce the nonlinearity associated with mixingamplitude and phase fluctuations. A quasi-linear oscillator was fabricated using the new technology and achieved a very stable and clear signal at room temperature with linewidths of Δf ≈ 5 MHz.
Potential Applications
- Microwave or RF signal sources
- Active readingheads for next-generation disk drives
Advantages
- Stable signal
- Low noise
- Operates in a wide range of frequencies and temperatures
- Highly tunable
- CMOS compatible
- *Licensing
- Martin Teschlmt439@cornell.edu(607) 254-4454
- Country/Region
- USA
