Imec

Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum (Imec)

Wouter Eyckmans

Liesbet Lagae

The present invention is related to a device and corresponding methods for generating an oscillating signal. The device comprises a means for providing a current of spin polarised charge carriers, a magnetic, e.g. ferromagnetic, excitable layer adapted for receiving the generated current of spin polarised charge carriers thus generating an oscillating signal with a frequency Vand an integrated means for interacting with said magnetic, e.g. ferromagnetic, excitable layer such that a selection of said oscillation frequency is achieved. No external field needs to be applied to select or tune the frequency. Different types of integrated means can be used, such as e.g. means inducing mechanical stress in the magnetic, e.g. ferromagnetic, excitable layer, means inducing exchange bias interactions and means inducing magnetostatic interactions.

Fully integrated tuneable spin torque device for generating an oscillating signal and method for tuning such apparatus

The present invention relates to a device and corresponding method for ultrafast controlling of the magnetization of a magnetic element. A device () includes a surface acoustic wave generating means (), a transport layer (), which is typically functionally and partially structurally comprised in said SAW generating means (), and at least one ferromagnetic element (). A surface acoustic wave is generated and propagates in a transport layer () which typically consists of a piezo-electric material. Thus, strain is induced in the transport layer () and in the ferromagnetic element () in contact with this transport layer (). Due to magneto elastic coupling this generates an effective magnetic field in the ferromagnetic element (). If the surface acoustic wave has a frequency substantially close to the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) frequency &#x3bd;the ferromagnetic element () is absorbed well and the magnetization state of the element can be controlled with this FMR frequency. The device can be used in an RF-magnetic resonator, a sensor and a camera. The corresponding method can be used for ultrafast reading-out and switching of magnetic components and in magnetic logic.

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Geel, Belgium

Wouter Eyckmans