Patent Abstract:
The invention relates to a radiofrequency oscillator which incorporates: a spin-polarized electric current magnetoresistive device ( 6 ) for generating an oscillating signal at an oscillation frequency on an output terminal ( 10 ), and a terminal ( 18 ) for controlling the frequency or amplitude of the oscillating signal, and a feedback loop ( 44 ) comprising an amplifier ( 46 ) provided with: an input connected to the output terminal ( 10 ) of the magnetoresistive device ( 6 ) so as to amplify the portion of an oscillating signal detected at the output terminal, and an output connected to the control terminal ( 18 ) so as to inject onto said control terminal the amplified portion of the oscillating signal which is phase-related to the oscillating signal generated at the output terminal.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2011/053027, filed on Mar. 1, 2011, which claims the benefit of the priority date of French Application No. 1051544, filed on Mar. 3, 2010. The content of these applications is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD OF DISCLOSURE 
     The invention pertains to a radiofrequency oscillator and to a method for generating an oscillating signal with this radiofrequency oscillator, 
     Radiofrequency oscillators integrate a magnetoresistive device within which a spin-polarized electrical current flows. In such an oscillator, the passage of the current prompts a periodic variation in the resistance of the magnetoresistive device. A high-frequency signal, i.e. a signal whose frequency typically ranges from 100 MHz to some tens of GHz, is built from this periodic variation. The period of the variations of the resistivity, and therefore the oscillation frequency, can be adjusted by playing on the intensity of the current that crosses the magnetoresistive device and/or an external magnetic field. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Such oscillators are intended for example for use in radio telecommunications because they can generate a wide range of frequencies with a high quality factor. 
     The term “quality factor” designates the following ratio:
 
 Q=f   osc   /Δf  
 
     Where:
         Q is the quality factor,   f osc  is the oscillation frequency of the oscillator, and   Δf is the width at mid-height of the line centered on the frequency f osc  in the power spectrum of this oscillator.       

     Certain radiofrequency oscillators are derived from spin electronics. 
     Spin electronics uses the spin of the electrons as an additional degree of freedom in order to generate novel effects. The spin polarization of an electrical current results from the asymmetry existing between the diffusion of the spin-up type conduction electrons (i.e. electrons parallel to the local magnetization) and spin-down type conduction electrons (i.e. electrons anti-parallel to the local magnetization). This asymmetry leads to an asymmetry in the conductivity between the two spin-up and spin-down channels, whence a sharp spin polarization of the electrical current. 
     This spin polarization of the current is the source of magnetoresistive phenomena in magnetic multi-layers such as giant magnetoresistance (Baibich, M., Broto, J. M., Fert, A., Nguyen Van Dau, F., Petroff, F., Etienne, P., Creuzet, G., Fnederch, A. and Chazelas, J., “ Giant magnetoresistance  of (001)Fe/(001)Cr magnetic superlattices”, Phys. Rev. Lett., 61 (1988) 2472), or tunnel magnetoresistance (Moodera, J S., Kinder, L R., Wong, T M. and Meservey, R. “ Large magnetoresistance at room temperature in ferromagnetic thin - film tunnel junctions ”, Phys. Rev. Lett 74, (1995) 3273-6). 
     Besides, it has also been observed that passing a spin-polarized current through a thin magnetic layer can induce a reversal of its magnetization when there is no external magnetic field (Katine, J. A., Albert, F. J., Buhrman, R. A., Myers, E. B., and Ralph, D. C., “ Current - Driven Magnetization Reversal and Spin - Wave Excitations in Co/Cu/Co Pillars ”, Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 3149 (2000). 
     Polarized current can also generate sustained magnetic excitations, also known as oscillations (Kiselev, S I., Sankey, J. C., Krivorotov, Emley, N. C., Schoelkopf, R. J., Buhrman, R. A., and Ralph, D. C., “ Microwave oscillations of a nanomagnet driven by a spin - polarized current ”, Nature, 425, 380 (2003)). By using the effect of the generation of sustained magnetic excitations on a magnetoresistive device it is possible to convert this effect into a modulation of electrical resistance that is directly usable in electronic circuits and that can therefore, as a corollary, act directly at the frequency level. The U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,864 describes various developments implementing the physical principle mentioned here above. It describes especially the precession of the magnetization of a magnetic layer through which a spin-polarized electrical current flows. The physical principles implemented as well as the terminology used are also described and defined in the patent application number FR 2 892 871. 
     The oscillation frequency of these radiofrequency oscillators is adjusted by playing on the intensity of the current that crosses it and, if necessary, also on an external magnetic field. 
     Prior-art radiofrequency oscillators comprise:
         a magnetoresistive device within which there flows a spin-polarized electrical current to generate a signal oscillating at an oscillation frequency on an output terminal, this device comprising a stack of at least:   a first magnetic layer, called a “reference layer”, capable of spin-polarizing the electrical current, and having a magnetization of fixed direction,   a second magnetic layer, called a “free layer”, the magnetization of which can oscillate when it is crossed by the spin-polarized current, and   a non-magnetic layer, called a “spacer” interposed between the two previous layers to form a tunnel junction or a spin valve,   a current source to make a current of electrons flow in said layers perpendicularly to them,   a control terminal to control the frequency or amplitude of the oscillating signal.   a feedback loop connected between the output terminal and the control terminal.       

     The spacer forms a tunnel junction when it is designed to create the phenomenon of tunnel magnetoresistance. As a variant, the spacer forms a spin valve when it is designed to create the phenomenon of giant magnetoresistance. 
     Prior-art oscillators work well but several improvements are desirable. For example, it is desirable to improve the quality factor of these radiofrequency oscillators. It is also desirable to reduce their consumption of electricity. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention seeks to improve prior-art radiofrequency oscillators on at least one of these points, 
     An object of the invention therefore is a radiofrequency oscillator in which the feedback loop comprises an amplifier equipped with:
         an input connected to the output terminal so as to amplify the part of the oscillating signal picked up at the output terminal, and   an output connected to the control terminal so as to inject, into this control terminal, an amplified part of the oscillating signal in phase with the oscillating signal generated at the output terminal.       

     Reinjecting an amplified part of the oscillating signal into the control terminal improves the quality factor of the oscillator. 
     The embodiments of this oscillator may comprise one or ore of the following characteristics:
         the current source is capable only of generating a direct current, the intensity of which is below the threshold beyond which the sustained precession of magnetization of the free layer appears;   the gain of the amplifier is sufficient to compensate for the losses f the magnetoresistive device;   the input and the output of the amplifier are directly connected, respectively, to the output terminal of the magnetoresistive device and to the control terminal;   the spacer is an electrically insulating material disposed so as to create a tunnel junction, the RA factor of which is greater than 2 or 5 Ωμm 2 ;   the oscillator comprises a generator of a magnetic field, the field lines of which pass through the free layer, this generator being equipped with a control terminal for controlling at least one characteristic of the generated magnetic field capable of modifying the oscillation frequency of the magnetoresistive device, this control terminal constituting the terminal for controlling the frequency or the amplitude of the oscillating signal.       

     These embodiments of the oscillator furthermore have the following advantages:
         using a magnetoresistive device, the intensity of the current of which remains below the critical current, limits current consumption and enables the use of more sensitive magnetoresistive devices;   using a feedback loop directly connected between the output terminal and the control terminal gives a very short feedback loop that introduces almost no phase delay and therefore averts the use of a phase-shifter.   using a magnetoresistive device for which the product RA is greater than 2 or 5 Ωμm 2  increases the amplitude of the oscillating signal;   using a magnetic field to control the frequency or amplitude of the oscillating signal decreases the electrical consumption of the oscillator       

     An object of the invention is also a method for generating an oscillating signal at an oscillation frequency, this method comprising:
         the providing of the above radiofrequency oscillator, and   the amplification of the part of the oscillating signal picked up at the output terminal and the injection of this amplified part of the oscillating signal at the control terminal in phase with the oscillating signal generated at the output terminal.       

     The embodiments of this method may comprise the following characteristic:
         the control of the current source to generate a direct current, the intensity of which is strictly below the threshold beyond which a sustained precession of magnetization of the free layer appears;       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The invention will be understood more clearly from the following description, given purely by way of a non-exhaustive example and made with reference to the appended drawings, of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of the architecture of a radiofrequency oscillator; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration in vertical section of a magnetoresistive device used in the oscillator of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of a method for generating an oscillating signal by means of the oscillator of  FIG. 1 : 
         FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6  are schematic illustrations of alternative embodiments of a radiofrequency oscillator; and 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration of the architecture of another magnetoresistive device that can be used in the oscillator of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements, 
     Here below in this description, the characteristics and functions well-known to those skilled in the art are not described in detail. 
       FIG. 1  shows a general architecture of a radiofrequency oscillator  2 . This oscillator  2  comprises:
         a source  4  of direct current I d ,   a magnetoresistive device  6  equipped with an input terminal  8  connected to the current source  4  and to an output terminal  10  of the oscillating signal generated by this device  6 , and   a low-noise amplifier  12 , the input of which is connected to the output  10  and the output of which is connected to the output terminal  14  of the oscillating signal generated by the oscillator  2 .       

     The device  6  is formed by a stack of magnetic and non-magnetic layers forming a tunnel junction also known as a TMR (tunnel magnetoresistance) junction. This stack comprises at least:
         a magnetic layer, called a “reference layer”, capable of spin-polarizing the electrical current generated by the source  4 , and having a magnetization of fixed direction,   a magnetic layer, called a “free layer”, the magnetization of which can oscillate when it is crossed by the spin-polarized current, and   a non-magnetic layer, called a “spacer”, interposed between the two previous layers to create the tunnel junction.       

     The device  6  works as a spin transfer oscillator or STO when the intensity of the spin-polarized current crosses a threshold I c  known as the “critical current of oscillation”. When the intensity of the spin-polarized current crosses this threshold I c , the magnetization of the free layer of the device  6  precesses sustainedly. Typically, the threshold I c  corresponds to a current density greater than 10 7  A/cm 2  in the cross-section of the layers of the stack. If not, the device  6  behaves like a resonator, also known as an STR (spin-transfer resonator), and the oscillating signal generated is dampened and not sustained. However, even in this case, to generate the dampened oscillating signal, the current density in the cross-section of the layers of the stack must be high. Typically, the term “high density of current” designates current density greater than 10 6  A/cm 2 . 
     To obtain high current density, the cross-section of at least one of the layers of the stack typically has a diameter of less than 300 nm and preferably less than 200 or 100 nm. When the cross-section is not a disk, the term “diameter” must be understood to mean “hydraulic diameter”. 
     The source  4  generates a direct current I d  the intensity of which, in this embodiment, is below the threshold I c  but sufficiently high to give rise to a high current density in the stack of layers. Thus, here below in this description, the device  6  works as a resonator and not as a spin-transfer oscillator. 
     The oscillator  2  has different automatic control and feedback loops. To simplify the description, these are all shown in the same embodiment in  FIG. 1 . However, in practice, these loops to be implemented are chosen as a function of the characteristics of the device  6 . 
     In  FIG. 1 , the oscillator  2  comprises a frequency-locking loop  16  for the automatic control of the oscillating signal generated by the device  6 . This loop  16  is also known as a phase-locked loop or PLL. This loop  16  is directly connected between the terminal  10  and a terminal  18  for controlling the frequency and amplitude of the oscillating signal s(t) generated by the device  6 . This loop  16  comprises a frequency divider  20  capable of generating, from the oscillating signal s(t), an oscillating signal s(t)* with a lower frequency f osc-r . For example, the divider  20  divides the frequency f osc  of the signal s(t) by at least 100. Here, the frequency f osc-r  is from 1 to 100 MHz. 
     The loop  16  also has a reference clock  22  which generates a clock signal r(t) that is far more stable than the oscillating signal s(t) at a frequency f ref  far below the frequency f osc . The frequency f ref  is typically greater than 1 MHz and is, for example, from 1 to 100 MHz. 
     The divider  20  and the clock  22  are connected to respective inputs of a comparator  24 . This comparator  24  generates a signal C 1 (t) for controlling the frequency f osc  at an output  26 . This signal C 1 (t) is built so as to reduce the divergence between the frequencies f osc-r  and f ref . 
     The loop  16  also comprises an amplifier  28  capable of amplifying the signal C 1 (t) before injecting it into the control terminal  18 . 
     The oscillator  2  also has an amplitude-locking loop  34  for locking the amplitude A osc  of the oscillating signal s(t) into a reference value A ref  for the amplitude. To this end, the loop  34  includes a sensor  36  which measures the amplitude A osc . This measurement of the amplitude A osc  is then transmitted to a comparator  38  to compare the amplitude measured with the value A ref . The comparator  38  is very swift and very precise. For example, the precision of the comparator  38  is within 10 μV. Such a comparator is for example made by means of transistors incorporated into the layers of the magnetoresistive device  6 . 
     This comparator generates a control signal C 2 (t) at the terminal  40 . This control signal C 2 (t) locks the amplitude A osc  to the value A ref . The signal C 2 (t) is set up on the basis of the divergence between the amplitude A osc  and the value A ref . 
     The signal C 2 (t) is injected into the terminal  18  after it has been amplified by an amplifier  41 . 
     Finally, the oscillator  2  also includes a feedback loop  44  to inject a control signal C 3 (t) into the terminal  18  enabling the dampened oscillations of the device  6  to be converted into sustained oscillations even if the intensity of the current I d  is below the threshold I c . To this end, the signal C 3 (t) is a amplified periodic signal injected into the terminal  18  in phase with the signal s(t) generated at the same instant on the terminal  10 . The term “in phase” designates the fact that the phase shift between the signals C 3 (t) and s(t) is equal to zero or practically equal to zero. For example, this phase shift is smaller than π/20 rad. Here, the signal C 3 (t) is an amplified copy of the signal s(t) generated by the device  6 . 
     The loop  44  also comprises an amplifier  46 . in this embodiment, an input of the amplifier  46  is directly connected to the terminal  10  without going through the amplifier  12  and an output of the amplifier is directly connected to the terminal  18 . The gain of this amplifier is determined so as to compensate for the losses of the device  6  and thus obtain a sustained oscillation even if the intensity of the I d  is lower than the threshold I c . Here, the gain of the amplifier  46  is determined experimentally. To this end, the losses of the device  6  are first of all determined experimentally and then a gain enabling compensation for these losses is fixed for the amplifier  46 . 
     The amplifier  46  has a bandwidth situated around the frequency f osc . 
     In order that the signals s(t) and C 3 (t) may be in phase, the loop  44  is as short as possible. For example, its length is smaller than 10 nm and preferably smaller than 1 nm or 100 μm. 
     To adjust the amplitude and frequency of the signal s(t) generated by the device  6 , the oscillator  2  is equipped with a magnetic field generator  50 . This generator  50  is placed relatively to the device  6  so that the lines of the magnetic field that it generates pass through the free layer of the device  6 . 
     For example, this generator  50  takes the form of a conductive track placed in the vicinity of the stack of the layers of the device  6 . The shortest distance between this conductive track and the free layer is less than 100 μm to limit the electrical consumption of the generator  50 . Advantageously, this distance will be smaller than 10 μm (integrated track) or even smaller than 1 μm. In  FIG. 1 , the resistivity of this track is represented by a resistance  52 . For example, the resistance value  52  is equal to 10Ω and corresponds to the resistance of the conductive track between the terminal  18  and a reference potential such as the ground. 
     This generator  50  has a terminal that can be used to make the intensity of the generated magnetic field vary. Here, this terminal constitutes the terminal  18 . Indeed, a variation in the intensity of the magnetic field that passes through the free layer enables the amplitude and frequency of the oscillating signal generated by the device  6  to be modified. 
     Preferably, the terminal  18  is used when the device  6  is weakly tunable in frequency by means of the intensity of the spin-polarized current, or even very weakly tunable, The terms “weakly tunable” and “very weakly tunable” designate a magnetoresistive device for which the derivative, denoted as df osc /dI, of the frequency f osc  as a function of the intensity I of the spin-polarized current, is strictly smaller than respectively 1 GHz/mA and 100 MHz/mA on the range of operation of this device. Weakly tunable magnetoresistive devices are generally planar structures that are easy to make. Planar structures are structures in which the magnetic moment of the reference and/or free layers is included in the plane of these layers. Under these conditions, the magnetoresistive device is generally weakly non-linear. The term “weakly non-linear” designates the fact that the derivative df osc /dA, of the frequency f osc  as a function of the amplitude A of the variations of the resistance of the device  6  is smaller than 10 MHz/Ω on the range of operation. 
     Preferably, the loop  34  is used only if the device  6  is highly non-linear, i.e. the derivative df osc /dA is greater than 10 MHz/Ω and preferably greater than 100 MHz/Ω on the range of operation of the oscillator. It can be noted that, when a magnetoresistive device is highly non-linear, it is generally also highly tunable so that the generator  50  need not be used for this automatic control. 
     The loop  34  is typically used to correct fast frequency fluctuations (i.e. fluctuations of a duration smaller than 1 μs) and the loop  16  is used to correct slow fluctuations (i.e. fluctuations of duration greater than 1 μs). 
     Generally, on the range of operation of the device  6 , the variations of the frequency f osc  as a function of the intensity I or of the amplitude A are linear or can be approximated by a linear relationship. Thus, the derivatives df osc /dI and ddf osc /dA are considered to be constant here below in this description. 
       FIG. 2  shows an exemplary embodiment of the magnetoresistive device  6  and of the generator  50 . 
     This magnetoresistive device  40  is shaped according to a geometry known as 
     CPP (current perpendicular to plane) geometry, More specifically. in  FIG. 2 , the magnetoresistive device adopts a structure known as the “nanopillar” structure. This nanopillar is a pillar formed by stacking horizontal layers of the same horizontal section on top of one another. 
     Furthermore, the device  6  has a conductive electrode, respectively  60  and  62 , at each end of the pillar. These electrodes  60 ,  62  enable the current that crosses the different layers forming the magnetoresistive device to be conveyed perpendicularly to the plane of these layers. The free ends of these electrodes  60 ,  62  form, respectively, the terminals  8  and  10  of the device  6 . 
     When the intensity of this current exceeds the intensity of the critical current I c , the voltage between these electrodes  60 ,  62  starts oscillating at the frequency f osc . This frequency f osc  depends on the intensity of the current flowing across the electrodes  60 ,  62 , For example, this voltage is transmitted to an electronic apparatus (not shown) which processes it in order to create a reference signal. 
     Between these electrodes  60  and  62 , the pillar has chiefly three layers, namely a reference layer  64 , a free layer  66  and a non-magnetic layer  68  interposed between the layers  64  and  66 . The non-magnetic layer is better known as a “spacer”. 
     These layers  64 ,  66  and  68  are laid out and shaped so as to enable the appearance of magnetoresistive properties, i.e. a variation in the resistance of the pillar as a function of the directions of magnetization of the layers  64  and  66 . 
     To improve the readability of  FIG. 1 , the proportions between the thicknesses of the different layers have not been maintained. 
     The width L of the different layers that form the pillar is constant. Here, the width L is smaller than 1 μm and typically ranges from 20 nm to 200 nm. 
     The reference layer  64  is made out of an electrically conductive magnetic material. Its upper face is in direct contact with the spacer  68 . It has a direction of easier magnetization contained in the plane of the layer. 
     The reference layer  64  has the function of spin-polarizing the electrons of the current that crosses it. It therefore has a thickness sufficient to fulfill this function. 
     For example, the reference layer  64  is made out of cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), iron(Fe) or their alloys (CoFe, NiFe, CoFeB . . . etc.). The thickness of the reference layer  64  is of the order of some nanometers. The reference layer  64  may be laminated by the insertion of a few (typically 2 to 4) very thin layers of copper, silver or gold with a thickness of the order of 0.2 to 0.5 nm to reduce the spin-diffusion length. It is also possible for the layer  64  to be made of either an SyF (synthetic ferrimagnetic) or even an SAF (synthetic antiferromagnetic). 
     Here, the reference layer  64  has a magnetization of which the direction is fixed. The term “fixed-direction magnetization” designates the fact that it is more difficult to modify the direction of the magnetic moment of the reference layer  64  than it is to modify the magnetic moment of the free layer  66 . To obtain this, the magnetization of the reference layer  64  is for example trapped by a conductive antiferromagnetic layer  70  interposed between the reference layer  64  and the electrode  60  The upper face of the layer  70  is for example directly in contact with the lower face of the reference layer  64   
     Typically, the thickness of the layer  70  is from 5 to 50 nm. It can be made out of a manganese alloy such as one of the following alloys IrMn, PtMn, FeMn, etc. For example, this layer  70  is made out of a material chosen from the group comprising IrMn, FeMn, PtMn, NiMn. 
     The spacer  68  is a non-magnetic layer. This spacer  68  is thin enough to enable the spin-polarized current to pass from the reference layer  64  to the free layer  66  in limiting polarization loss. Conversely, the thickness of this spacer  68  is big enough to provide for magnetic decoupling between the layers  64  and  66 . 
     The spacer  68  is made out of an insulating material such as an aluminum oxide or nitride, a magnesium oxide, tantalum nitride, strontium titanate (SrTiO 3 ), etc. The pillar then has tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) properties and the spacer  68  forms a tunnel barrier. In this case, the thickness of the spacer  68  is typically 0.5 nm to 3 nm 
     Here, the barrier tunnel of the device  6  is thick to show a high RA factor, i.e. a factor greater than 2 or 5 Ωμm 2 . 
     The RA factor of a tunnel barrier is the product of the resistance of the tunnel barrier multiplied by its area. Here, the area is the surface area of the cross-section of the tunnel barrier. 
     Generally, the higher the RA factor of the tunnel barrier, the greater will be the range of variation of the resistivity of the tunnel junction (for example it will be greater than 10%) and the more sensitive will the tunnel junction be to the precession of the magnetization in the free layer. 
     The free layer  66  is an electrically conductive magnetic layer, the magnetization of which can rotate or “precess” more easily than the magnetization of the reference layer  64 . 
     Many embodiments of the free layer are possible. For example, possible embodiments of this free layer are described in the patent application filed under number FR 0 957 888 and in the patent application published under number FR2 892 871. 
     The lower face of the layer  66  is in direct contact with the upper face of the spacer  68 . The upper face for its part is in direct contact with the electrode  62 . This layer  66  is for example made out of a ferromagnetic material such as cobalt, nickel or iron or an alloy of these different metals (for example CoFe, CoFeB, NiFe, etc.). 
     In the absence of spin-polarized current and of any external magnetic field, the direction M of the total magnetic moment of the layer  66  is oriented in parallel to the plane of this layer. The direction M then corresponds to the direction of easier magnetization of the free layer. 
     Typically, this stack of layers is made on the upper face of a substrate. 
     In the particular embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the generator  50  is constituted chiefly by a conductive track  76  laid out relatively to the layer  66  so as to create a magnetic field, the field lines of which pass through this layer  66 . One example of a field line passing through the layer  66  is shown by the dotted line  78  in  FIG. 2 . For example, this track  76  is laid out relatively to the layer  66  so that the magnetic field lines generated are parallel to the direction M of easier magnetization of the layer  66 . For example, here, the track  76  extends in a plane parallel to the plane of the free layer  66  and in a direction perpendicular to the direction M. Then, the current passing through the track  76  flows in the appropriate direction so that the magnetic field generated passes through the free layer  66  in the direction M of easier magnetization. 
     To minimize the intensity of the electrical current in the track  76  which enables the generation of a magnetic field of at least 10 Oe in the free layer  66 , this track  76  is attached without any degree of freedom to the layer  66 . The unit “Oe” is one Oersted (=10 −4  Tesla). For example, here, the track  76  is deposited or etched on a layer of dielectric material lying directly on the layer in which the electrode  62  is formed, The track  76  is insulated from the electrode  62  by the thickness of the layer made of dielectric material. Thus, the track  76  is separated from the free layer  66  by a minimum distance that is smaller than 1 μm and preferably smaller than 400 nm. 
     The use of the magnetic generator  50  to set the frequency or amplitude of the oscillating signal has the following advantages. 
     For example, when the device  6  is weakly tunable by means of the intensity of the spin-polarized current, this generator makes it possible to reduce the electrical consumption of the oscillator  2  needed to make the loops  16 ,  34  and/or  44  operate. To illustrate this, the following typical numerical values are used: df osc /dI=60 MHz/mA and df osc /dH=10 MHz/Oe, where H is the intensity of the magnetic field that passes through the free layer  66 . The resistance of the device  6  between the terminals  8  and  10  is taken to be equal to 300 Ω. 
     With these values, to obtain a variation of 10 MHz in the frequency f osc , it is necessary to make the intensity of the polarization current vary by 0.17 mA, which corresponds to a consumed power equal to 8.5 μW (=300 Ω*(0, 17 mA) 2 ). 
     To obtain the same variation of frequency f osc  in using the generator  50 , it is necessary for this generator to generate a variation of 1 Oe in the magnetic field that passes through the free layer  66 . Such a variation in the intensity of the magnetic field can be created by means of a 0.3 mA current flowing in the track  76 . Thus, the same variation of the frequency f osc  in using the generator  50  consumes only 0.9 μW (=10 Ω*(0.3 mA) 2 ). 
     Thus, the use of the generator  50  makes it possible to greatly reduce the electrical consumption of the automatic control and/or feedback loops of the oscillator  2 . This results from the fact that the field tunability of the device  6 , represented by the derivative df osc /dH, is generally far greater than the tunability in intensity, represented by the derivative df osc /dI, of a large number of magnetoresistive devices and especially for weakly tunable devices. 
     This generator  50  also enables the setting of the frequency or amplitude of the signal s(t) even if the derivative df osc /dI is very low or equal to zero. 
     The working of the oscillator  2  shall now be described in greater detail with reference to the method of  FIG. 3 . 
     Initially, at a step  90 , the current source  4  is controlled to generate a direct current I d  whose intensity is strictly below the threshold I c . Thus, the device  6  behaves like a resonator. 
     parallel, at a step  92 , the amplifier  46  amplifies the part of the signal s(t) picked up at the terminal  10  and, in phase, injects its amplified copy C 3 (t) into the terminal  10 . The loop  44  thus enables compensation for the losses of the device  6  so as to obtain a sustained oscillation even if the intensity of the current I d  is strictly below the threshold I c . Since the intensity of the current I d  used is lower, the RA factor of the tunnel barrier of the device  6  can be increased so as to increase the sensitivity of the device  6  and of the oscillator  2 . This makes it possible to relax the manufacturing constraints for the device  6 . 
     It has been noted that the quality factor of the oscillator formed solely by the combination of the loop  44  with the device  6  increases as and when the intensity of the current I d  increases. Thus, the quality factor may be set by adjusting the intensity of the current I d . This can be put to use to limit the consumption of the oscillator  2  when a high quality factor is not needed. 
     At the same time, at a step  94 , the loop  34  locks the amplitude A osc  of the oscillations of the signal s(t) into the value A ref . To this end, at the step  94 , the sensor  36  measures the amplitude A osc . Then, the comparator  38  compares the amplitude A osc  with the value A ref  and generates the control signal C 2 (t) capable of reducing the divergence between the amplitudes A osc  and the value A ref . The signal C 2 (t) is injected after amplification by the amplifier  41  at the terminal  18 . 
     The amplitude A osc  of the oscillations of the signal s(t) is linked by a monotonic function N to the frequency f osc . Thus, the locking of the amplitude A osc  to the value A ref  locks the frequency f osc  into a reference frequency corresponding to N(A ref ). 
     However, the comparison of the amplitude A osc  and the value A ref  is done far more quickly than the comparison of the frequencies f osc-r  and f ref . Indeed, to compare an amplitude with a value, it is not necessary to apply a frequency divider. Thus, the loop  34  reacts far more speedily than the loop  16  and therefore enables compensation for fast fluctuations of the frequency f osc  which the loop  16  is not able to compensate for. Since the automatic control loop  34  is far speedier than a frequency locking loop, the quality factor of the oscillator  2  is thereby improved. 
     Finally, in parallel with the steps  92  and  94 , at a step  96 , the loop  16  locks the phase of the signal s(t) into the phase of the reference signal r(t), To this end, the divider  20  divides the frequency of the signal s(t) to obtain the signal s(t)* with a frequency f osc-r . The signals s(t)* and r(t) are then compared by the comparator  24 . The comparator  24  then generates a signal C 1 (t) as a function of the divergence between the phases of the signals s(t)* and r(t). This signal C 1 (t) is built to reduce this divergence. It is applied after having been amplified by the amplifier  28  on the terminal  18 . 
     Thus, the loop  16  makes it possible to keep the signal s(t) in phase with the signal r(t). 
     At a step  98 , the different control signals generated during the steps  92  to  94  and  96  get added to each other and are injected into the same control terminal  18 . These control signals then make the intensity of the magnetic field vary in proportion to the intensity of the electrical currents generated by the loops  16 ,  34  and  44 . This modification of the intensity of the magnetic field modifies the amplitude and frequency of the signal s(t) generated by the device  6  at the terminal  10 . In order that the sensitivity of the device  6  to the variations of intensity of the magnetic field may be high, the gain of the amplifiers  28  and  41  is set so that the intensity of the current injected into the track  76  gives a magnetic field of at least 10 Oe in the free layer. Indeed, below this intensity for the magnetic field, the variations of the frequency f osc  are difficult to perceive. 
     The steps  90  to  98  are repeated in a loop. 
     Many other embodiments of the oscillator  2  are possible. In particular, the loops  16 ,  34  and  44  can be used independently of one another. For example, the frequency-locking loop  16  can be omitted, 
     Each of these loops  16 ,  34  and  44  can be linked either to the control terminal  18  or to a terminal for controlling the intensity of the frequency f osc . 
     More specifically, when the magnetoresistive device is highly tunable by means of the intensity, i.e. when the derivative df osc /dI is greater than 1 GHz/mA, the automatic control or feedback loops are connected to a terminal for controlling the intensity of the current delivered by the current source. One example of such an embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In the oscillator  100  of  FIG. 4 , the terminal  18  is replaced by a terminal  102  for controlling the intensity of the current I d . In the oscillator  100 , the loop  16  has also been omitted. 
     The source  4  is replaced by a direct current source  104 , the intensity of which is controllable as a function of the signal injected into the terminal  102 . 
     The loops  34  and  44  are connected to this terminal  102  instead of the terminal  18 . 
     In other embodiments, certain loops may be connected to the terminal  18  while other loops are connected to the terminal  102 . One example of such an embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  represents an oscillator  110  in which the feedback loop is connected to the terminal  102  for controlling the intensity of the source  104  while the amplitude-locking loop is connected to the terminal  108  for controlling the magnetic field. In this embodiment, the loop  16  is also omitted. 
     As a variant, it is possible to simultaneously connect one or more of the loops  16 ,  34  and  44  both to a field control terminal, such as the terminal  18 , and to an intensity control terminal, such as the terminal  102 . In this case, preferably, an adjustable distributor is introduced to adjust the distribution of the control signal between these two terminals. This distributor is set manually or automatically so as to maximize the sensitivity of the magnetoresistive device to the control signal sent. This makes it possible to adapt to any type of radiofrequency oscillator without having to modify the automatic control or feedback loops. 
     The amplifier  46  of the feedback loop can also be placed between the terminals  10  and  14  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  represents a radiofrequency oscillator  120 . This embodiment reduces the gain of the amplifier  12 . Indeed, the amplifier  12  is series-connected with the amplifier  46 . 
     Many other embodiments of the magnetoresistive device  6  are possible. For example, the direction of easier magnetization of the free layer and/or of the reference layer is not necessarily contained in the plane of the layer. For example, the direction of easier magnetization can be perpendicular to the plane of the layer. 
     Additional layers can be inserted into the stack of layers forming the pillar of the device  6 . For example, an antiferromagnetic layer can be inserted between the free layer  66  and the electrode  62 . 
     The reference layer may be a synthetic antiferromagnetic to fix the direction of its magnetization. In this case, the layer  70  can be omitted. 
     One (or more polarizers) can also be used to make the magnetoresistive device in addition to the reference layer. A polarizer is a magnetic layer or multilayer, the magnetization of which is outside the plane of the layer and, for example, perpendicular to the plane of the layer. The polarizer enables the spin-polarizing of the current that passes through it. Typically, the polarizer is formed by several sub-layers superimposed on one another, for example an alternation of magnetic and metallic layers for example (ColPt) n ). Here, the polarizer is not described in greater detail. For further information on polarizers, reference may be made to the patent application FR2 817 998. The presence of the polarizer makes it possible to obtain a precession of the magnetization of the free layer outside its plane. This makes it possible for example to make the oscillator work in a zero field, i.e. in the absence of a static external magnetic field. For example, a polarizer is deposited directly beneath the electrode  62 . 
     The cross-sections of the different layers forming the magnetoresistive device are not necessarily all identical. For example, the magnetoresistive device can also be made with a stacking structure known as a “point-contact” structure. Such structures are described in the patent application FR 2 892 871. 
     The spacer  68  can be made out of an electrically conductive material such as copper (Cu). The magnetoresistive properties of the pillar are then qualified as giant magnetoresistance (GMR) properties. In this case, the thickness of the spacer  68  is typically greater than 2 nm. Generally, its thickness ranges from 2 to 40 nm and is preferably equal to 5 nm to ±25%. Furthermore, typically, the thickness of the reference layer is strictly greater than the spin diffusion length (see for example the patent FR2 892 871 for a definition of this term).XXX 
     The device  6  can be replaced by an assembly of magnetoresistive devices series-connected or parallel-connected to one another to increase the power of the oscillating signal. In this case, the input and output terminals of these different magnetoresistive devices are connected respectively to common input and output terminals. The amplitude and/or frequency-locking loops are connected to these common input and output terminals. Preferably, if a feedback loop is used, it is placed only locally at the terminals of each of the magnetoresistive devices, Thus, in a particular embodiment, each magnetoresistive assembling device comprises its own feedback loop. 
     The intensity control terminal can be an input terminal of a current summing unit, another input terminal of which is connected to the output of a non-controllable direct current source. The output of this summing unit, at which the sum of the currents is generated, is directly connected to the input terminal  8  of the device  6 . 
     Other layouts of the conductive track  76  forming the field generator  50  are possible. For example, as a variant, the conductive track  76  extends in parallel to the free layer in the same plane as this layer. The track  76  can also be deposited and/or etched beneath the stack of layers  64 ,  66  and  68 . For example, in this case, the track  76  is deposited and etched on the substrate  74 . Furthermore, it is not necessary for the field lines generated by this track  76  to cross the free layer in parallel to its direction of easier magnetization. For example, in a preferred variant, the field lines cross the free layer with a direction perpendicular to the direction of easier magnetization of this free layer. 
     Magnetic field generators other than a conductive track can also be used. 
     As a variant, the generator  53 , in addition to the magnetic field built from the control signals C i (t), generates a static magnetic field which adjusts the main oscillation frequency f osc . 
     Since there is a relationship N between the amplitude A osc  and the frequency f osc , it is possible to set up a frequency locking by directly measuring the amplitude A osc . For example, to this end, the measured amplitude is converted by means of the predetermined relationship N into a measured frequency N(A osc ). Then, the frequency N(A osc ) is compared with a reference frequency f ref . A comparator then generates a control signal as a function of the divergence between these frequencies N(A osc ) and f ref , enabling this divergence to be reduced. This control signal is then injected into the control terminal  18  or  102 . 
     As a variant, the source  4  generates a direct current I d , the intensity of which is greater than or equal to the threshold I c . In this case, the loop  44  can be omitted. However, it can also be kept to improve the quality factor of the oscillator 
     In another variant, it is possible to integrate a phase-shifter into the loop  44 . This phase-shifter then has the function of keeping the signal C 3 (t) injected into the terminal  18  in phase with the signal s(t). 
     The characteristics of the dependent claims can be implemented independently of the characteristics of the independent claims. For example, the use of the terminal  18  of the generator  50  of the magnetic field to loop the loops  16 ,  34  or  44  can be implemented independently of the use of a feedback loop  44  comprising the amplifier  46  equipped with:
         an input connected to the output terminal ( 10 ) so as to amplify the part of the oscillating signal picked up at the output terminal, and   an output connected to the control terminal  18  or  102  so as to inject, into this control terminal, an amplified part of the oscillating signal in phase with the oscillating signal generated at the output terminal.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7