Stochastic resonance of a nanomagnet excited by spin transfer torque

Abstract

Spin transfer torque from spin-polarized electrical current can excite large-amplitude magnetization dynamics in metallic ferromagnets of nanoscale dimensions. Since magnetic anisotropy energies of nanomagnets are comparable to the thermal energy scale, temperature can have a profound effect on the dynamics of a nanomagnet driven by spin transfer torque. Here we report the observation of unusual types of microwave-frequency nonlinear magnetization dynamics co-excited by alternating spin transfer torque and thermal fluctuations. In these dynamics, temperature amplifies the amplitude of GHz-range precession of magnetization and enables excitation of highly nonlinear dynamical states of magnetization by weak alternating spin transfer torque. We explain these thermally activated dynamics in terms of non-adiabatic stochastic resonance of magnetization driven by spin transfer torque. This type of magnetic stochastic resonance may find use in sensitive nanometer-scale microwave signal detectors.