Memristor-controlled mutual synchronization of spin Hall nano-oscillator arrays for neuromorphic computing and spintronic Ising machines

Abstract

Synchronization of large spin Hall nano-oscillators (SHNO) arrays is an appealing approach toward ultra-fast non-conventional computing based on nanoscale coupled oscillator networks [1]. However, for large arrays, interfacing to the network, tuning its individual oscillators, their coupling, and providing built-in memory units for training purposes, remain substantial challenges. Here, we address all these challenges using memristive gating of W/CoFeB/MgO/AlOx based SHNOs. We use this type of stack as their substantial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) can generate both localized and propagating spin waves [2]. In its high resistance state (HRS), the memristor modulates the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) at the CoFeB/MgO interface purely by the applied electric field, which leads to both a voltage-controlled SHNO frequency and a voltage-controlled threshold current [3]. In its low resistance state (LRS), and depending on the voltage polarity, the memristor adds/subtracts a current Im to/from the SHNO drive. The operation in this LRS also affects the SHNO auto-oscillation mode and frequency, which can be tuned up to 28~MHz/V. This tuning allows us to reversibly turn on/off mutual synchronization in chains of four SHNOs and turn the chain into different partially synchronized states [4]. Memristor gating is, therefore, an efficient approach to input, tune, and store the state of the SHNO array for any non-conventional computing paradigm, all in one platform. Examples include SHNO based Ising Machines [5,6] and pattern recognition using memristive-controlled SHNO chains [4], which will both be discussed in detail in the presentation.