Spintronic Spectrum Analyzer and Limiter based on Tunable Magnetic Tunnel Junction Arrays

基于可调谐磁隧道结阵列的自旋电子频谱分析仪和限制器

• 批准号: 2203242
• 负责人: Pedram Khalili Amiri
• 金额: $ 35.99万
• 依托单位: Northwestern University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2022-06-01 至 2025-05-31
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2203242&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Spintronic; Spectrum; Analyzer; Limiter; based

Radio-frequency interference is a key challenge in civilian and military communication networks, and is exacerbated by the fast-growing number of interconnected devices in the Internet of Things. This project will address this challenge by developing a spintronic spectrum analyzer, based on arrays of electrically tunable magnetic microwave detectors (i.e., spin diodes) with high sensitivity, to achieve fast and programmable frequency analysis and filtering of high-power radio-frequency signals. The proposed circuit combines the speed of existing hardware-based frequency-selective limiters with the reconfigurability of software approaches, since detection frequencies and their corresponding threshold levels can be reconfigured electrically. In addition to its potential economic impact, this project will also achieve broader impact through the incorporation of significant outreach and education activities. Research results will be integrated into a newly developed course that is taught by the PI at Northwestern University, focusing on Magnetism and Spintronics.The intellectual merit of the proposed spectrum analyzer and limiter derives from a novel spintronic device structure with very high detection sensitivity and electrically tunable characteristics. The magnetic sensing layer is engineered to exhibit large voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy due to interfacial spin-orbit interaction, which boosts its sensitivity to radio-frequency signals. The device will be biased by a direct electric current creating auto-oscillations of the magnetization, the frequency of which is determined by the current value. A large rectified voltage is then achieved due to locking of the auto-oscillations to the input radio-frequency signal. Thus, the detection frequency of the diode can be tuned by an electric current. This project will develop arrays of spin diode detectors, each electrically tuned to a particular frequency, to perform real-time spectral analysis of incoming signals. Output voltages of the diodes will be compared with a reference voltage (which itself can be reconfigured in the field), thereby detecting signals exceeding the power limit. The result is a compact, electrically tunable and fast frequency-selective limiter that overcomes the limitations of existing solutions. The proposed devices can be monolithically integrated into back-end-of-line silicon manufacturing, using volume manufacturing equipment and processes that have already been developed for magnetic memory and sensor products, and are available from major foundries.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

射频干扰是平民和军事通讯网络中的关键挑战，并且由于物联网中的互连设备的快速增长而加剧了。该项目将通过基于具有高灵敏度的电磁微波检测器（即自旋二极管）的阵列来开发自旋光谱分析仪，以实现快速且可编程的频率分析以及高功率放射性信号的过滤。提出的电路将现有的基于硬件的频率选择限制器的速度与软件方法的重新配置相结合，因为可以将检测频率及其相应的阈值级别进行电气重新配置。除了其潜在的经济影响外，该项目还将通过纳入重大的外展和教育活动来实现更广泛的影响。研究结果将集成到新开发的课程中，该课程由西北大学的PI教授，重点是磁性和自旋形式。拟议的频谱分析仪的智力优点和限制器源自具有非常高的检测敏感性和可调性特征的新型自旋设备结构。由于界面自旋 - 轨道相互作用，磁性传感层设计为表现出大型电压控制的磁各向异性，从而提高了其对射频信号的敏感性。该设备将因直接电流而产生磁化的自动振荡而偏置，该磁化的频率由电流值确定。然后，由于将自动振荡锁定到输入射频信号，因此可以实现大型整流电压。因此，可以通过电流调节二极管的检测频率。该项目将开发自旋二极管检测器的阵列，每个探测器都将每个电动调谐到特定的频率，以对传入信号进行实时光谱分析。将二极管的输出电压与参考电压（本身可以在现场重新配置）进行比较，从而检测到超过功率限制的信号。 结果是一个紧凑，可调和快速的频率选择性限制器，它克服了现有溶液的局限性。拟议的设备可以单层整合到后端硅制造中，使用已经为磁性内存和传感器产品开发的数量制造设备和流程，可从主要的铸造厂获得。该奖项反映了NSF的法定任务，并通过基金会的知识优点和广泛的影响来评估NSF的法定任务。

项目成果

Sub-volt switching of nanoscale voltage-controlled perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions

• DOI: 10.1038/s43246-022-00310-x
• 发表时间: 2022-11-14
• 期刊: COMMUNICATIONS MATERIALS
• 影响因子: 7.8
• 作者: Shao, Yixin;Lopez-Dominguez, Victor;Amiri, Pedram Khalili
• 通讯作者: Amiri, Pedram Khalili