The 2024 Magnonics Roadmap.

Magnonicsis a research field that has gained an increasing interest in both the fundamental and applied sciences in recent years. This field aims to explore and functionalize collective spin excitations in magnetically ordered materials for modern information technologies, sensing applications, and advanced computational schemes. Spin waves, also known as magnons, carry spin angular momenta that allow for the transmission, storage, and processing of information without moving charges. In integrated circuits, magnons enable on-chip data processing at ultrahigh frequencies without the Joule heating, which currently limits clock frequencies in conventional data processors to a few GHz. Recent developments in the field indicate that functional magnonic building blocks for in-memory computation, neural networks, and Ising machines are within reach. At the same time, the miniaturization of magnonic circuits advances continuously as the synergy of materials science, electrical engineering, and nanotechnology allows for novel on-chip excitation and detection schemes. Such circuits can already enable magnon wavelengths of 50 nm at microwave frequencies in a 5G frequency band. Research into non-charge-based technologies is urgently needed in view of the rapid growth of machine learning and artificial intelligence applications, which consume substantial energy when implemented on conventional data processing units. In its first part, the 2024 Magnonics Roadmap provides an update on the recent developments and achievements in the field of nano-magnonics while defining its future avenues and challenges. In its second part, the Roadmap addresses the rapidly growing research endeavors on hybrid structures and magnonics-enabled quantum engineering. We anticipate that these directions will continue to attract researchers to the field and, in addition to showcasing intriguing science, will enable unprecedented functionalities that enhance the efficiency of alternative information technologies and computational schemes.

Anisotropy of magnetic damping in Ta/CoFeB/MgO heterostructures.

Magnetic damping controls the performance and operational speed of many spintronics devices. Being a tensor quantity, the damping in magnetic thin films often shows anisotropic behavior with the magnetization orientation. Here, we have studied the anisotropy of damping in Ta/CoFeB/MgO heterostructures, deposited on thermally oxidized Si substrates, as a function of the orientation of magnetization. By performing ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) measurements based on spin pumping and inverse spin Hall effect (ISHE), we extract the damping parameter in those films and find that the anisotropy of damping contains four-fold and two-fold anisotropy terms. We infer that four-fold anisotropy originates from two-magnon scattering (TMS). By studying reference Ta/CoFeB/MgO films, deposited on LiNbO3 substrates, we find that the two-fold anisotropy is correlated with in-plane magnetic anisotropy (IMA) of the films, suggesting its origin as the anisotropy in bulk spin-orbit coupling (SOC) of CoFeB film. We conclude that when IMA is very small, it's correlation with two-fold anisotropy cannot be experimentally identified. However, as IMA increases, it starts to show a correlation with two-fold anisotropy in damping. These results will be beneficial for designing future spintronics devices.

Ferromagnetic resonance excited by interfacial microwave electric field: the role of current-induced torques.

Excitation of magnetization dynamics in magnetic materials, especially in ultrathin ferromagnetic films, is of utmost importance for developing various ultrafast spintronics devices. Recently, the excitation of magnetization dynamics, i.e. ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) via electric field-induced modulation of interfacial magnetic anisotropies, has received particular attention due to several advantages, including lower power consumption. However, several additional torques generated by unavoidable microwave current induced because of the capacitive nature of the junctions may also contribute to the excitation of FMR apart from electric field-induced torques. Here, we study the FMR signals excited by applying microwave signal across the metal-oxide junction in CoFeB/MgO heterostructures with Pt and Ta buffer layers. Analysis of the resonance line shape and angular dependent behavior of resonance amplitude revealed that apart from voltage-controlled in-plane magnetic anisotropy (VC-IMA) torque a significant contribution can also arises from spin-torques and Oersted field torques originating from the flow of microwave current through metal-oxide junction. Surprisingly, the overall contribution from spin-torques and Oersted field torques are comparable to the VC-IMA torque contribution, even for a device with negligible defects. This study will be beneficial for designing future electric field-controlled spintronics devices.

Pattern recognition with neuromorphic computing using magnetic field-induced dynamics of skyrmions.

Nonlinear phenomena in physical systems can be used for brain-inspired computing with low energy consumption. Response from the dynamics of a topological spin structure called skyrmion is one of the candidates for such a neuromorphic computing. However, its ability has not been well explored experimentally. Here, we experimentally demonstrate neuromorphic computing using nonlinear response originating from magnetic field-induced dynamics of skyrmions. We designed a simple-structured skyrmion-based neuromorphic device and succeeded in handwritten digit recognition with the accuracy as large as 94.7% and waveform recognition. Notably, there exists a positive correlation between the recognition accuracy and the number of skyrmions in the devices. The large degrees of freedom of skyrmion systems, such as the position and the size, originate from the more complex nonlinear mapping, the larger output dimension, and, thus, high accuracy. Our results provide a guideline for developing energy-saving and high-performance skyrmion neuromorphic computing devices.

Applications of nanomagnets as dynamical systems: I.

When magnets are fashioned into nanoscale elements, they exhibit a wide variety of phenomena replete with rich physics and the lure of tantalizing applications. In this topical review, we discuss some of these phenomena, especially those that have come to light recently, and highlight their potential applications. We emphasize what drives a phenomenon, what undergirds the dynamics of the system that exhibits the phenomenon, how the dynamics can be manipulated, and what specific features can be harnessed for technological advances. For the sake of balance, we point out both advantages and shortcomings of nanomagnet based devices and systems predicated on the phenomena we discuss. Where possible, we chart out paths for future investigations that can shed new light on an intriguing phenomenon and/or facilitate both traditional and non-traditional applications.

Applications of nanomagnets as dynamical systems: II.

In Part I of this topical review, we discussed dynamical phenomena in nanomagnets, focusing primarily on magnetization reversal with an eye to digital applications. In this part, we address mostly wave-like phenomena in nanomagnets, with emphasis on spin waves in myriad nanomagnetic systems and methods of controlling magnetization dynamics in nanomagnet arrays which may have analog applications. We conclude with a discussion of some interesting spintronic phenomena that undergird the rich physics exhibited by nanomagnet assemblies.

Voltage controlled on-demand magnonic nanochannels.

Development of energy-efficient on-demand magnonic nanochannels (MNCs) can revolutionize on-chip data communication and processing. We have developed a dynamic MNC array by periodically tailoring perpendicular magnetic anisotropy using the electric field. Brillouin light scattering spectroscopy is used to probe the spin wave (SW) dispersion of MNCs formed by applying a static electric field at the CoFeB/MgO interface through the one-dimensional stripe-like array of indium tin oxide electrodes placed on top of Ta/CoFeB/MgO/Al2O3 heterostructures. Magnonic bands, consisting of two SW frequency modes, appear with a bandgap under the application of moderate gate voltage, which can be switched off by withdrawing the voltage. The experimental results are reproduced by plane wave method-based numerical calculations, and simulated SW mode profiles show propagating SWs through nanochannels with different magnetic properties. The anticrossing between these two modes gives rise to the observed magnonic bandgap.

Nonreciprocal surface acoustic wave propagation via magneto-rotation coupling.

A fundamental form of magnon-phonon interaction is an intrinsic property of magnetic materials, the "magnetoelastic coupling." This form of interaction has been the basis for describing magnetostrictive materials and their applications, where strain induces changes of internal magnetic fields. Different from the magnetoelastic coupling, more than 40 years ago, it was proposed that surface acoustic waves may induce surface magnons via rotational motion of the lattice in anisotropic magnets. However, a signature of this magnon-phonon coupling mechanism, termed magneto-rotation coupling, has been elusive. Here, we report the first observation and theoretical framework of the magneto-rotation coupling in a perpendicularly anisotropic film Ta/CoFeB(1.6 nanometers)/MgO, which consequently induces nonreciprocal acoustic wave attenuation with an unprecedented ratio of up to 100% rectification at a theoretically predicted optimized condition. Our work not only experimentally demonstrates a fundamentally new path for investigating magnon-phonon coupling but also justifies the feasibility of the magneto-rotation coupling application.

Underlayer material dependent symmetric and asymmetric behavior of voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy in CoFeB films.

Voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy (VCMA), observed at the interfaces of ultrathin ferromagnetic metallic films and oxide layer, has proven to be a useful tool for the development of all-electric field controlled spintronics devices. Here, we have studied the symmetric and asymmetric behavior of VCMA in CoFeB/MgO heterostructures, grown on different underlayer materials, by measuring ferromagnetic resonance using spin pumping and inverse spin Hall effect technique. We observe symmetric behavior of VCMA in CoFeB films with Ta underlayer, whereas a systematic transformation from symmetric to asymmetric behavior of VCMA with decreasing CoFeB thickness is observed for Pt underlayer. We speculate that the increased interfacial roughness, defects and strain of ultrathin CoFeB films with Pt buffer layer probably leads to the complicated band structure at CoFeB/MgO interface resulting in asymmetric behavior of VCMA. The observed symmetric behavior of VCMA in control samples justifies the role of interfacial roughness, defects and discards the role of oxide overlayer on the observed asymmetric behavior of VCMA in ultrathin CoFeB films.

Creation of magnetic skyrmions by surface acoustic waves.

Non-collinear and non-coplanar spin textures, such as chiral domain walls1 and helical or triangular spin structures2,3, bring about diverse functionalities. Among them, magnetic skyrmions, particle-like non-coplanar topological spin structures characterized by a non-zero integer topological charge called the skyrmion number (Nsk), have great potential for various spintronic applications, such as energy-saving, non-volatile memory and non-von Neumann devices4-7. Current pulses can initiate skyrmion creation in thin-film samples8-10 but require relatively large current densities, which probably causes Joule heating. Moreover, skyrmion creation is localized at a specific position in the film depending on the sample design. Here, we experimentally demonstrate an approach to skyrmion creation employing surface acoustic waves (SAWs); in asymmetric multilayers of Pt/Co/Ir, propagating SAWs induce skyrmions in a wide area of the magnetic film. Micromagnetic simulations reveal that inhomogeneous torque arising from both SAWs and thermal fluctuations creates magnetic textures, with pair structures consisting of a Néel skyrmion-like and an antiskyrmion-like structure. Subsequently, such pairs transform to a Néel skyrmion due to the instability of the antiskyrmion-like structure in a system with interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. Our findings provide a tool for efficient manipulation of topological spin objects without heat dissipation and over large areas, given that the propagation length of SAWs is of the order of millimetres.

Effect of excitation power on voltage induced local magnetization dynamics in an ultrathin CoFeB film.

Voltage or electric field induced magnetization dynamics promises low power spintronics devices. For successful operation of some spintronics devices such as magnetic oscillators and magnetization switching devices a clear understanding of nonlinear magnetization dynamics is required. Here, we report a detailed experimental and micromagnetic simulation study about the effect of excitation power on voltage induced local magnetization dynamics in an ultrathin CoFeB film. Experimental results show that the resonance line-width and frequency remains constant, whereas cone angle of the magnetization precession increases linearly with square-root of excitation power below threshold value, known as linear excitation regime. Above threshold power, the dynamics enters into nonlinear regime where resonance line-width monotonically increases and resonance frequency monotonically decreases with increasing excitation power. Simulation results reveal that a strong nonlinear and incoherent magnetization dynamics are observed in our experiment above the threshold power which reduces dynamic magnetic signal by suppressing large cone angle of magnetization precession. Moreover, a significant transfer of spin angular momentum from uniform FMR mode to its degenerate spin waves outside of excitation area further restrict the cone angle of precession within only few degrees in our device. Our results will be very useful to develop all-voltage-controlled spintronics devices.

Voltage-induced magnetization dynamics in CoFeB/MgO/CoFeB magnetic tunnel junctions.

Recent progress in magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) with a perpendicular easy axis consisting of CoFeB and MgO stacking structures has shown that magnetization dynamics are induced due to voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy (VCMA), which will potentially lead to future low-power-consumption information technology. For manipulating magnetizations in MTJs by applying voltage, it is necessary to understand the coupled magnetization motion of two magnetic (recording and reference) layers. In this report, we focus on the magnetization motion of two magnetic layers in MTJs consisting of top layers with an in-plane easy axis and bottom layers with a perpendicular easy axis, both having perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. According to rectified voltage (Vrec) measurements, the amplitude of the magnetization motion depends on the initial angles of the magnetizations with respect to the VCMA direction. Our numerical simulations involving the micromagnetic method based on the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation of motion indicate that the magnetization motion in both layers is induced by a combination of VCMA and transferred angular momentum, even though the magnetic easy axes of the two layers are different. Our study will lead to the development of voltage-controlled MTJs having perpendicular magnetic anisotropy by controlling the initial angle between magnetizations and VCMA directions.

Pronounced multiferroicity in oleic acid stabilized BiFeO3 nanocrystals at room temperature.

We report on the experimental observation of pronounced multiferroicity in BiFeO3 nanocrystals (size approximately 40 nm) at room temperature. Large scale BiFeO3 nanocrystals are synthesized using a low temperature chemical route and further stabilized with oleic acid. The nanocrystals exhibit a significant distortion in lattice parameter c compared to the bulk. Oleic acid plays an important role in reducing oxygen vacancies and Fe2+ ions at the nanocrystal surface giving rise to a high resistivity (approximately 10(10) omega-cm at 300 K) of the sample. The direct band gap of nanocrystals is measured to be approximately 4.2 eV (about 1.5 times the bulk value) suggesting a strong quantum confinement effect. The nanocrystals show a remarkably high spontaneous saturation magnetization approximately 4.39 emu/g along with a prominent ferroelectric hysteresis loop at room temperature. Particle size effect leading to the appearance of large number of uncompensated spins and suppression of modulated spin structure have resulted a strong spontaneous magnetization in such nanoscale multiferroic materials.

Detection of picosecond magnetization dynamics of 50 nm magnetic dots down to the single dot regime.

We report an all-optical time-domain detection of picosecond magnetization dynamics of arrays of 50 nm Ni(80)Fe(20) (permalloy) dots down to the single nanodot regime. In the single nanodot regime the dynamics reveals one dominant resonant mode corresponding to the edge mode of the 50 nm dot with slightly higher damping than that of the unpatterned thin film. With the increase in areal density of the array both the precession frequency and damping increase significantly due to the increase in magnetostatic interactions between the nanodots, and a mode splitting and sudden jump in apparent damping are observed at an edge-to-edge separation of 50 nm.