Energy Efficient Skyrmion based Oscillator on Thermocoupled Nanotrack

Abstract

The magnetic skyrmion-based spin transfer nano-oscillators (STNO) are the potential candidates for next-generation microwave signal generator and has gained popularity due to their performance, integrability and compatibility with existing CMOS technology. However, these devices suffer from the Joule heating problem that neglects their non-volatility advantage in spintronic devices. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the alternative driving mechanisms for the development of energy-efficient skyrmion based nano-oscillators. In this paper, a skyrmion-based nano-oscillator has been designed that utilizes thermal power to drive skyrmion on a thermocoupled nanotrack. The thermocoupled nanotrack is designed in such a way that both the upper and lower nanotracks have different values of damping constants and a temperature difference is maintained between the extreme ends, in order to create a temperature gradient in the two nanotracks. By employing this technique, skyrmion is able to exhibit the periodic motion on the nanotrack with the maximum achievable frequency of 2.5GHz without any external stimuli. Moreover, the proposed device offers low thermal energy consumption of 0.84fJ/oscillation. Hence, this work provides the pathway for the development of energy-efficient future spintronic devices.