Parametric oscillator based on nonlinear vortex dynamics in low-resistance magnetic tunnel junctions.

Radiofrequency vortex spin-transfer oscillators based on magnetic tunnel junctions with very low-resistance area product were investigated. A high power of excitations has been obtained characterized by a power spectral density containing a very sharp peak at the fundamental frequency and a series of harmonics. The observed behavior is ascribed to the combined effect of spin-transfer torque and Oersted-Ampère field generated by the large applied dc current. We furthermore show that the synchronization of a vortex oscillation by applying an ac bias current is mostly efficient when the external frequency is twice the oscillator fundamental frequency. This result is interpreted in terms of a parametric oscillator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]