Nanomagnetic arrays for novel computation

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We have developed an all-optical nanomagnetic writing technique using a cheap, low-power (~2 mW) laser1. Unlike other opto-magnetic approaches, it requires no magnetic field, exotic materials nor powerful lasers - making it cheap, device-friendly & industrially-scalable. In parallel, we have developed the world-first nanomagnetic array neuromorphic computing scheme, providing low power neural-network functionality2. This proof-of-concept works well but neural network weight updates rely on a slowly varying magnetic field and lack single-nanomagnet resolution. Optical writing and reading now allows us to directly write network weights (nanomagnet states). This radically enhances operation speed & solves device compatibility issues, with huge potential for industrial uptake & impact.These unprecedented breakthroughs provide science-driven answers to spiralling global IT energy consumption. As a deep technology, we need expertise and facilities for quantitative measurements to carefully establish the operating mechanisms and benchmark performance.The project is use of the unique facilities at NPL in ultra-high resolution magnetic imaging (QSabr NV-diamond rig and quantitative magnetic force microscopy) and scanning thermoelectric microscopy (sThEM) to study nanomagnetic array samples from Imperial optimised for the laser writing and machine learning. The project could also involve nanofabrication, magnetic and magneto-optic measurements at Imperial. IAA funding will allow us to raise the TRL by benchmarking against memcomputing standards.