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Harmonic oscillation of spin structures is a physical phenomenon that offers great potential for applications in nanotechnologies such as nano-oscillators and bio-inspired computing. The effective tuning of oscillations over wide frequency ranges within a single ferromagnetic nanoelement is a prerequisite to realize oscillation-based nanodevices, but it has not been addressed experimentally or theoretically. Here, utilizing a vortex core structure, one of spin structures, we report a drastic change of oscillation modes over the frequency range from MHz to sub-GHz in a 100 nm-thick permalloy circular disk. Oscillation mode was found to considerably depend on the shape and dimension of the vortex core structure and various oscillation modes over a wide range of frequencies appeared with dimensional change in the vortex core structure. This work demonstrates that oscillation modes of the vortex core structure can be effectively tuned and opens a way to apply spin structures to oscillation-based technology.

Author(s): Han, HS; Lee, S; Je, SG; Kang, M; Ok, HJ; Kim, N; Chao, W; Im, MY; Lee, KS | Abstract: Stochasticity in magnetic nanodevices is an essential characteristic for harnessing these devices to computing based on population coding or the building blocks of probabilistic computing, p-bits. A magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) consisting of a patterned magnetic element is considered a promising computing unit in the concept of artificial neurons and p-bits. A comprehensive understanding of the stochasticity in the switching of patterned magnetic elements is crucial for realizing MTJ-based probabilistic computing technology. In the present work, the stochastic behavior in the switching process of a perpendicularly magnetized Co/Pt disk within an array was directly observed utilizing full-field soft X-ray microscopy. Within 50 repeated hysteretic cycles, the stochastic magnetization switching of individual Co/Pt disks within disk arrays is identified. We found that the stochasticity in the magnetization switching of disks considerably depends on the disk size. The stochasticity initially decreases as the disk radius gets bigger from 125 to 375 nm (region I), then increases with further enlarging the disk size to 625 nm (region II). The variance of thermal fluctuation relevant to the disk size and the multilevel switching within a disk are severely involved in the observed size-dependent stochasticity. This work provides the way for controlling the stochasticity in the switching of nanopatterned elements, which is a key aspect of MTJ-based probabilistic computing.

The efficient generation, manipulation and detection of magnetic skyrmions are important for the development of future spintronic devices. One approach is to use electric-current-induced spin torques. Recently, thermally induced skyrmion motion has also been observed, but wider experimental evidence and its capabilities remain limited. Here we report the thermal generation, manipulation and thermoelectric detection of nanoscale skyrmions in microstructured metallic multilayers integrated with on-chip heaters. The local application of heat can facilitate a domain morphological transition and the formation of skyrmions at the device edge, where a low energy barrier exists. We observe the unidirectional diffusion of skyrmions from hot regions to cold regions, which is due to the interplay among the repulsive forces between skyrmions, thermal spin–orbit torques, entropic forces and magnonic spin torques. The thermally generated skyrmions can also be electrically detected via the Nernst voltage. Nanoscale magnetic skyrmions that are generated in metallic multilayers using on-chip heating diffuse from hot to cold regions and can be thermoelectrically detected via the Nernst voltage.

We realize a magnetic skyrmion diode operated by a unidirectional skyrmion transport that flows in only one direction, which is highly significant for information processing in spintronic and nanoelectronic devices. We easily control the skyrmion transport by engineering asymmetric shapes of geometric structures. Here, we present a simple method to describe the underlying mechanism behind the unidirectional skyrmion transport by characterizing the topography of potential energy surfaces from a purely geometric perspective. Our approach enables a deeper physical insight into skyrmion transport manipulation and efficient design of skyrmion-based devices in geometric structures.

A Bloch point (BP) is a topological defect in a ferromagnet at which the local magnetization vanishes. With the difficulty of generating a stable BP in magnetic nanostructures, the intrinsic nature of a BP and its dynamic behaviour has not been verified experimentally. We report a realization of steady-state BPs embedded in deformed magnetic vortex cores in asymmetrically shaped Ni80Fe20 nanodisks. Time-resolved nanoscale magnetic X-ray imaging combined with micromagnetic simulation shows detailed dynamic character of BPs, revealing rigid and limited lateral movements under magnetic field pulses as well as its crucial role in vortex-core dynamics. Direct visualizations of magnetic structures disclose the unique dynamical feature of a BP as an atomic scale discrete spin texture and allude its influence on the neighbouring spin structures such as magnetic vortices., The intrinsic nature and dynamics of a Bloch point has not been verified so far. Here, Im et al. report the realization and dynamical character of steady-state Bloch points in the magnetic vortex cores in asymmetrically shaped Ni80Fe20 nanodisks.

The non-trivial topology of magnetic structures such as vortices and skyrmions is considered as a key concept to explain the stability of those structures. The stability, dictated by non-trivial topology, provides great potential for device applications. Although it is a very critical scientific and technological issue, it is elusive to experimentally study the topology-dependent stability owing to the difficulties in establishing stably formed magnetic structures with different topologies. Here, we establish a platform for vortex-antivortex structures with different topological charges within Ni80Fe20 rectangular elements thick enough to stabilize a unique three-dimensional magnetic structure with non-uniform magnetization along the thickness of the elements. The detailed magnetization configurations of the three-dimensional vortex-antivortex structures and their annihilations during their field-driven motions are investigated by utilizing magnetic transmission soft x-ray microscopy and micromagnetic simulation. We demonstrate that the stability of vortex-antivortex structures significantly depends on their topologies and the topology-dependent stability is associated with their different annihilation mechanisms. We believe that this work provides in-depth insight into the stability of magnetic structures and its topology dependence.

We explore the optimal condition for cylindrical core/shell hard-soft exchange-coupled magnetic nanostructures by obtaining full hysteresis loops for various geometries by obtaining full hysteresis loops for various geometrical variables, including the dimensional scale and soft/hard-magnetic phase volume ratio through micromagnetic simulations. For achieving maximum energy product (BH), it is essential to increase the demagnetizing field by increasing the volume fraction of the soft magnet while maintaining a positive nucleation field and, which can be possible by the scaling-down. To scale up the nanostructure to a bulk magnet having high BH can be achieved by forming an array of needle-shaped exchange-coupled cylinders. These findings could lead to the flexible design and scalable fabrication of exchange-coupled permanent magnets.

The corrosion resistance of conventional and experimental Mg–3Al–1Zn-based alloys with different Mn and Y content was comparatively investigated. After immersion for 72 h in a 0.6 M NaCl solution at 25 °C, an experimental Mg–3Al–1Zn–0.05Mn–0.03Y alloy exhibited a corrosion rate of 0.91 mm y−1, which is about four times slower than that of a conventional Mg–3Al–1Zn–0.3Mn alloy. Microstructural factors underlying the improved corrosion resistance achieved by the trace additions of Mn and Y are discussed.

We report a replaceable and multifunctional triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) with a triangular prism shaped supporter to enhance the uniformity of contact and separation during walking. The supporter was ergonomically designed by considering the walking style, therby enhancing the uniformity of the contact between the Al and PDMS film inside the TENG. The TENG with the supporter generated a high output performance of 64 V and 55 μA when walking, showing an enhancement of approximately 600% when compared with the flat TENG. We also demonstrate a self-powered pressure distribution sensor to monitor the human gait patterns by pressing the TENG arrays when walking, a useful technology in reliable health monitoring systems.