Giant spin-torque diode sensitivity in the absence of bias magnetic field

Bin Fang, Mario Carpentieri, Xiaojie Hao, Hongwen Jiang, Jordan A. Katine, Ilya N. Krivorotov, Berthold Ocker, Juergen Langer, Kang L. Wang, Baoshun Zhang, Bruno Azzerboni, Pedram Khalili Amiri, Giovanni Finocchio, Zhongming Zeng

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

153 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Microwave detectors based on the spin-torque diode effect are among the key emerging spintronic devices. By utilizing the spin of electrons in addition to charge, they have the potential to overcome the theoretical performance limits of their semiconductor (Schottky) counterparts. However, so far, practical implementations of spin-diode microwave detectors have been limited by the necessity to apply a magnetic field. Here, we demonstrate nanoscale magnetic tunnel junction microwave detectors, exhibiting high-detection sensitivity of 75,400 mV mW â '1 at room temperature without any external bias fields, and for low-input power (micro-Watts or lower). This sensitivity is significantly larger than both state-of-the-art Schottky diode detectors and existing spintronic diodes. Micromagnetic simulations and measurements reveal the essential role of injection locking to achieve this sensitivity performance. This mechanism may provide a pathway to enable further performance improvement of spin-torque diode microwave detectors.

Original languageEnglish
Article number11259
JournalNature communications
Volume7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016 Apr 7

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry
  • General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Physics and Astronomy

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