Mutual Synchronization of Magnons in a YIG Delay-Line

Spintronic devices like Spin Torque Nano-Oscillators (STNO’s) have shown promise as elements of neuromorphic computing circuitry in which coupled oscillators mimic the connectivity of neurons in the brain^[1] in order to handle tasks like image or pattern recognition, which may be inefficient in traditional computers. The key phenomena involved in the process of creating a neural network is mutual synchronization of the coupled oscillators which has been demonstrated extensively for STNO’s^[2]. In our work we demonstrate the same mutual synchronization physics on a YIG delay line device in which microwave frequency magnon excitations travel from one co-planar waveguide antenna to another. The mutual synchronization is created by leveraging the non-linear behavior of magnon excitations created by a strong pump microwave input combined with a weaker probe microwave input. With precise tuning of the input frequencies and powers, mutual synchronization is clearly observed in our work, demonstrating the potential of YIG delay line devices as promising candidates for neuromorphic computing.

 

[1] Torrejon, J., Riou, M., Araujo, F. et al. Neuromorphic computing with nanoscale spintronic oscillators. Nature 547, 428–431 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature23011

[2] Mancoff, F., Rizzo, N., Engel, B. et al. Phase-locking in double-point-contact spin-transfer devices. Nature 437, 393–395 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature04036