Magnetic Skyrmions for Logic- and Memory Devices

Skyrmions, i.e. stable spin-textures in ultra-thin ferromagnetic layers, are listed as information carriers (digital states 1 and 0) in integrated, microelectronic and -magnetic devices and systems. In order to use Skyrmions for memory and logic functions, they have to be generated, manipulated and read-out by electronic circuitry. For that, we use finely tuned focused-ion-beam patterning to shape the landscape of potential energy of magnetic multilayer film stacks in order to create, stabilize, annihilate and steer magnetic Skyrmions by means of electrical currents. Our research aims to evaluate a disruptive nanotechnology for the upcoming needs in low-power and ultimately scaled computing and storage systems.

Computation by 3D arrangements of nanomagnets

Digital computation by magnetic ordering? That sounds useless or crazy having powerful CMOS technologies available everywhere at low cost. However, if it comes to massively parallel and pipelined digital operations with stringent power constraints, 3D Nanomagnetic Logic might pay off. Based on majority votes that can be re-programmed to the universal NAND or NOR function during run-time, a hybrid co-processor integrated in the back-end-of-line CMOS technology is envisioned. Still far from being ready for mass fabrication, but containing all basic elements for 3D integrated computation with nonvolatile magnetic states.