Phase locking in voltage-controlled parametric oscillator

Abstract

A recent experimental demonstration of a parametric magnetization oscillation excited by applying a microwave voltage to a ferromagnetic metal will be applicable not only to a new magnetization switching method but also to bio-inspired computing. It should be, however, noted that a phase of the parametric magnetization oscillation is not uniquely locked, related to the fact that a frequency of the microwave voltage is twice the value of the magnetization oscillation. There are two possible phases in the parametric oscillation state, and which of the two is realized depends on the initial condition of the magnetization. Here, we examine two approaches to lock the phase uniquely. One is to suppress the distribution of the initial state by enhancing the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy before applying microwave voltage, and the other is to use a sweeping frequency. Through numerical simulation of the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation and quantification of locked rate, we find that the sweeping frequency is more effective to lock the phase of the parametric magnetization oscillation.