Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    In today&#39;s progress to miniaturize semiconductor electronic devices, copper connections are a major factor in the design of very large-scale integration (VLSI) chips. These interconnects can be costly and can drain a good part of the energy used to power the chips. In some instances, copper interconnects consume more energy than the transistors within the devices themselves. Additionally, copper interconnects use up valuable space within the device architecture. 
         [0002]    Recently, researchers have begun to look for ways to replace copper connections on chips. One potential replacement technology that has emerged involves the propagation of spin waves. A spin wave is a collective oscillation of spin orientations in an ordered spin lattice of a ferromagnetic material. Information encoded into the oscillations of the spin wave can be used to accomplish data transfer between devices capable of detecting and producing such encoded waves. However, before spin waves can be used for reliable and efficient data transfer, structures and devices for generating, transmitting, and detecting spin waves must be developed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In one embodiment in accordance with the invention, a system for data transmission using spin waves includes a ferromagnetic stripe, a spin wave generator, and a spin wave detector. The spin wave generator and detector are coupled at first and second locations on the stripe. In some embodiments, the generator includes a spin-momentum transfer (SMT) effect device. In some embodiments, the generator includes a magnetic field spin wave generator. In some embodiments, the detector includes a magnetic field spin wave detector. In some embodiments, the detector includes an SMT device. 
         [0004]    In other aspects of the invention, the system for data transmission using spin waves is extended to provide a plurality of devices. In some embodiments, a splitter is provided by including a branched ferromagnetic stripe, with spin wave detectors coupled to the stripe along each branch. In some embodiments, a mixer is provided by including a branched ferromagnetic stripe, with spin wave generators coupled to the stripe along each branch. In some embodiments, a switch is provided by including a stripe having multiple branches, with a plurality of spin wave generators and detectors residing on each branch. In some embodiments of the devices, detectors can include a filter to selectively receive one or more of a plurality of spin waves propagating within the stripe. 
         [0005]    In another aspect, the invention includes methods of transmitting data between devices using spin waves. Methods can include the steps of providing a ferromagnetic stripe and a plurality of SMT effect devices dispersed along the length of the ferromagnetic stripe, at least one of the SMT effect device being a generating SMT effect device and at least one SMT effect device being a detecting SMT effect device. A current representative of a signal is injected into the generating SMT effect device, thereby generating a spin wave in the ferromagnetic stripe. And the detecting SMT effect device detects the spin wave to produce an output signal corresponding to the input signal. 
         [0006]    This invention provides devices and methods for data transmission using spin waves. Embodiments of the invention provide reliable and efficient means for generating spin waves corresponding to an input signal within a transmission medium. In addition, detectors according to embodiments of the invention, provide improved means of detecting spin waves within a transmission medium. The improved generation and detection means, in combination with the ferromagnetic stripe transmission medium of embodiments of the invention facilitates efficient data transmission without charge transfer through the use of encoded spin waves. 
         [0007]    These and various other features and advantages will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the invention and therefore do not limit the scope of the invention. The drawings are not to scale (unless so stated) and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 1A-1D  show schematic drawings of spin wave data transmission systems according to embodiments of the invention including combinations of spin-momentum transfer and magnetic field generators, and coplanar strip and magnetoresistive effect detectors. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  show schematic drawings of spin wave data transmission systems according to embodiments of the invention including a spin-momentum transfer generator and a spin-momentum transfer junction detector. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3A and 3B  are schematic drawings of a spin wave data transmission splitter device according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4A and 4B  are schematic drawings of a spin wave data transmission mixer device according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5A and 5B  are schematic drawings of a spin wave data transmission coupler device according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6A and 6B  are schematic drawings of a spin wave data transmission router device according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a schematic drawings of a spin wave data transmission system including a plurality of spin wave generators and detectors along a single ferromagnetic stripe according to embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will, nevertheless, be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended; any alterations and further modifications of the described or illustrated embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein, are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
         [0017]    As shown in  FIG. 1A , embodiments of the invention include a system for data transmission  100  using spin waves. The system  100  generally includes a spin wave generator  105  coupled to a ferromagnetic (FM) stripe  110  at a first location  115  and a spin wave detector  120  coupled to the FM stripe  110  at a second location  125 . An input signal  130  delivered from a transmitting device A can be passed to the spin wave generator  105  which causes a spin wave  135  to be generated within the FM stripe  110 . Spin wave propagates by changing the local polarization of spins of nearby ferromagnetic material. Thus, spin waves propagate without the transfer or movement of charge carriers within the spin wave media, i.e. the FM stripe  110 . The spin wave  135 , having propagated through the FM stripe  110  (e.g. in the direction of arrow  140 ), can then be detected by the spin wave detector  120  and translated into an output signal which corresponds to the input signal  130 . The output signal can thus be received by a receiving device B coupled with the detector  120 . In this manner, systems according to the invention can accomplish data transfer between devices A, B located at or near the first and second locations  115 , 125  with spin waves (rather than charge transfer) serving as the data carrier between the devices. 
         [0018]    The FM stripe  110  is a patterned film of a ferromagnetic material deposited on or within a substrate between devices to be connected. The stripe has thickness T, width W and length L dimensions. The stripe length L is the dimension of the stripe between the devices A, B to be connected. In some embodiments, the FM stripe  110  comprises a single layer of FM material. However, the stripe should not be limited to such, for example in some embodiments, the stripe can comprise a multi-layer structure. A multi-layer FM stripe can comprise for example two or more exchange-biased layers, such as for example a ferromagnetic layer and an antiferromagnetic layer. Multilayer coupling can be used to pin the magnetization direction or adjust sensitivity of the FM stripe to provide for improved transmission of spin waves. The magnetization direction of the FM stripe is indicated by arrow  145 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , the direction of magnetization  145  is generally parallel with the stripe length L, however the magnetization direction  145  can be oriented in generally any direction. For example, the direction of magnetization can be perpendicular with the stripe length L (i.e. along the stripe width W), out of the stripe plane (i.e. along the stripe thickness T), or at any combination of angles relative to the various axes of the stripe. 
         [0019]    The FM stripe  110  can comprise generally any ferromagnetic material. For example, the FM stripe can comprise ferromagnetic transition metals and their alloys. In some embodiments, the FM stripe  110  comprises a ferromagnetic film, such as for example, Ni, Co, Fe and their alloys, and doped materials including for example, CoFeB. A multi-layer FM stripe can comprise a ferromagnetic film deposited upon an antiferromagnetic film, for example IrMn (CoO). The materials and structure selected for the FM stripe can effect the characteristics and ability to generate spin waves therein. For example, a “softer” FM material can allow for generation of spin waves of greater magnitude, yet with higher attenuation. In addition, the frequencies of the excited spin waves depend upon the magnetic properties of the FM stripe. Width W and thickness T dimensions of the stripe  110  can be on the submicron scale. For example, embodiments can include an FM stripe approximately 500 nm thick and less than 500 nm wide. The stripe length L can be up to 2 cm depending upon the level of attenuation of spin waves within the stripe. Spin wave attenuation within the FM stripe  110  depends on stripe material properties including, for example, crystal geometry, imperfections, impurities, and anisotropy bias. External factors such as external magnetic field and temperature can likewise affect spin wave attenuation within the stripe and further limit the stripe length L. In any case, the FM stripe should be provided such that spin waves generated therein have a propagation vector along the length of the stripe. 
         [0020]    The FM stripe, as well as all components described below including generators and detectors, can be fabricated by any techniques known in the art. For example, known lithographic and deposition techniques or other standard thin film processes can be used to provide the components described herein. 
         [0021]    The generator  105  is one of the basic system components according to embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, such as that of  FIG. 1A , the generator  105  can be a spin-momentum transfer (SMT) device (also referred to as a “spin torque transfer” (STT) device). In such devices, spin waves  135  are locally generated within the FM stripe  110  by the injection of a current through a stack  150 . In SMT excitation approaches, the frequency of the locally generated spin waves can be selected and tuned by the injected current density. By controlling the magnitude and frequency of the injected current (or applied voltage), i.e. where the injected current is representative of a signal  130 , the generated spin wave  135  can be encoded with the signal  130 . 
         [0022]    SMT devices in most embodiments, comprise a stack of layers  150 . The stack  150  generally includes at least three layers: (i) a pinned FM layer  155  having a generally fixed magnetization direction  160 , (ii) a non-magnetic spacer layer  165 , and (iii) a free layer. When SMT devices are used as spin wave generators according to embodiments the invention, the pinned layer  155  and nonmagnetic spacer  165  are deposited directly adjacent to a segment of the FM stripe  170 , which corresponds to the free layer. Thus, the generator  105  is integral with the stripe  1   10 . Current injected through the stack  150  passes through the pinned layer  155  which functions as a spin polarizer to polarize the spins of the electrons of the current with the spins of electrons residing in the pinned layer  155 . Current then flows through the nonmagnetic spacer  165  and into the stripe segment  170 , where the polarized spins of the current exert a torque on the spins of the pinned layer electrons. In embodiments wherein the spacer  165  comprises an insulating nonmagnetic material (e.g. a thin oxide layer), the device is referred to as a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). Where the nonmagnetic spacer comprises a conducting layer (e.g. a nonmagnetic metallic layer), the device is referred to as a spin valve. Generators  105  according to embodiments of the invention can be of either arrangement. With respect to the stripe segment  170 , one should note that it is not a free layer in which the magnetization direction is switched by the injected current. Rather, the magnetization direction of the FM stripe  145  remains generally fixed with the SMT effect of the injected current causing the generation of spin waves  135 . 
         [0023]    Spin wave generation by SMT stacks can occur so long as the magnetization direction of the stripe  145  (“first magnetization direction”) is not oriented in the same direction as the magnetization direction of the pinned layer  160  (“second magnetization direction”). Thus, generators  105  according to some embodiments of the invention include a second magnetization direction  160  that is different from the first magnetization direction  145 . In some embodiments, the second magnetization direction  160  is perpendicular to the first magnetization direction  145  so as to maximize the torque exerted upon the magnetic moments of electrons in the FM stripe and provide spin waves  130  of maximum magnitude. 
         [0024]    It should be recognized that the above described SMT stack represents a simple variation of such a device. Many other stacks comprising more layers of different composition, thickness, and arrangement can provide the SMT effect and all such variations should be considered to be within the scope of the invention. Moreover, the various SMT stacks can be substituted (where appropriate) for any SMT stack used in systems and devices of the invention, be it as a generator, stripe, detector, or other system component. 
         [0025]    Another type of generator  175  is shown in  FIG. 1B . Here, spin wave generation is accomplished using a magnetic field source  175 , such as magnets  180 , magnetically or directly coupled to the stripe  110 . Magnetic field spin wave generation can be described as a more indirect method of spin wave generation than SMT effect spin wave generation, because the input signal or a current corresponding thereto must first be translated to a varying magnetic field, which then interacts with the FM stripe to generate the spin wave. The translation of an electrical signal into a varying magnetic field can be accomplished by a copper lead, as any such lead will induce a magnetic field about the lead when a current is passed therethrough. Certain embodiments of the invention include an enhanced magnetic field generator which can generate a magnetic field having a greater magnitude than that of a lead or plurality of co-planar leads. A write head is one example of an enhanced magnetic field generator. In such devices, a current representing the signal can be passed through a coil about a magnetic write tip. The energized coil induces a magnetic field in a gap of the write tip. This magnetic field can then be used to stimulate and tune spin wave formation within the FM stripe  110 . 
         [0026]    Systems according to embodiments of the invention further include detectors  120  magnetically or physically coupled to the FM stripe  110  to detect a propagated spin wave  135  therein and provide a corresponding output signal. As can be seen in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , a detector  120  is provided on the FM stripe  110  at a second location  125  along the stripe length L and positioned relative to the stripe such that the detector  120  can perceive the spin wave  135 . 
         [0027]    Detectors can be positioned to directly or indirectly perceive the spin wave. For example, the detectors of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  represent one form of indirect detectors. Here, the detector is one or more coplanar waveguide strips or metallic leads  185  within which a current is induced by the proximity to the propagating spin wave  135 . 
         [0028]      FIGS. 1C and 1D  show schematics of systems including an enhanced magnetic field detector  190 . In these examples, the detector  190  is a magnetic read head  195 . A read head utilizes the magnetoresistive effect to provide an output signal having a large amplitude relative to small changes in magnetic field. Many such devices comprise a stack of at least three layers: (i) a pinned layer, (ii) a nonmagnetic spacer layer, and (iii) a free layer. The pinned layer is a magnetic layer having a generally fixed magnetization direction. The spacer layer is generally nonmagnetic and can comprise a conductive material (e.g. a metal), or an insulating material (e.g. a thin oxide layer). The free layer comprises a soft magnetic material having a free or unfixed direction of magnetization. In the presence of an external magnetic field (such as that provided by the propagating spin wave), the spins of electrons of the free layer change orientation, which causes the resistance of the entire stack to vary. For example, when the spins of the electrons in the free layer are oriented parallel with the spins of electrons of the pinned layer the stack provides the least resistance. As the spins of the free layer are pulled toward antiparallel relative to the pinned layer, the stack resistance increases. Thus, a read current or voltage applied to the read head can pick up the changing resistance of the head and provide an output signal corresponding to the spin wave causing the changes in the free layer. 
         [0029]    One of skill in the art will recognize that the detector signal-to-field ratio can be improved by using a detector having a high magnetoresistance ratio. For this reason, some embodiments use a magnetic tunnel junction arrangement where the spacer layer comprises a thin oxide or other insulating layer. However, detectors should not be limited to such, for example, a spin valve (having a conductive spacer layer) can be used. Moreover, the stack need not be limited to the three layers described above. Many read head or other enhanced magnetic field sensors can be used and all such devices should be considered as within the scope of the invention. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2A  shows an example of a system  200  including a local magnetoresistive effect (LMRE) detector  205  coupled to the receiving device B. In this embodiment, the detector  205  is generally structurally analogous to the SMT generator  105  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . That is, the detector  205  comprises a stack of layers  210  directly coupled with the FM stripe  110 . For example, the stack  210  can comprise at least three layers: (i) a pinned FM layer  215  having a fixed magnetization direction  220 , (ii) a nonmagnetic spacer layer  225 , and (iii) a segment of the FM stripe  230 . With contrast to the enhanced magnetic field detectors  190  of  FIGS. 1C and 1D , where output signal is produced relative to a magnetic field, the resistance of a LMRE detector  205  is locally generated by the propagating spin wave  135 . This is due to the incorporation of a segment of the FM stripe  230  in the stack  210 . Like the read head above, parallel orientation of the spins of the electrons in the stripe segment  230  and the pinned layer  215  yield a relatively low resistance. As the relative spin orientations of these layers moves toward antiparallel, the resistance of the stack  210  increases. Thus, embodiments including a LMRE detector have a pinned layer magnetization direction  220  that is not parallel with the magnetization direction of the FM stripe  145 , for example, the magnetization directions can be arranged at a 90 degree angle relative to each other. LMRE detectors  205  further include read-out circuitry  235  for applying a read current or voltage  240  to the stack  210 . Fluctuations in the LMRE detector  205  resistance caused by the propagating spin wave can thus be detected as changes in the read current or voltage  240 . 
         [0031]    An additional benefit of providing a LMRE detector  205  can be seen in the system  200 ′ of  FIG. 2B . Here, without changing the system layout of  FIG. 2A , where device A was transmitting a signal  130  to device B, a signal  245  is being transmitted from device B to device A. In other words, the generator  105  coupled with device A in  FIG. 2A  is used as a detector  205  for device A in  FIG. 2B . Meanwhile, the detector  205  coupled with device B in  FIG. 2A , is used as a generator  105  to generate a spin wave  250  representative of the signal  245  provided by device B in  FIG. 2B . Thus, by providing an SMT stack according to embodiments of the invention with a switchable connection to input signal  130 ,  245  and readout circuitry  235 ,  255 , the stack can provide both spin wave generation and detection functionality to a connected device. This allows for devices to be simplified because instead of having to provide both generator and detector structures to accomplish two-way data transfer, only one structure need be provided. For purposes of this application, the terms “SMT device” and “SMT effect device” shall generally refer to a stack of layers such as those described herein, irrespective of their function. For example, the term “SMT device” should be interpreted to include and describe both SMT generators and LMRE stacks. Some magnetic field devices can likewise be used as both generators and detectors. For example, metallic coplanar waveguide strips, can be arranged about the FM stripe such that the strips can both generate a magnetic field (for creating spin waves) and sense a magnetic field (for detecting spin waves and producing an output signal). 
         [0032]    With the basic structure having been illustrated, many devices can be built for particular functions.  FIG. 3A  shows a device  300  with an FM stripe  305  having branches  310  to function as a splitter  300 . Each branch  310  of the stripe  305  includes a detector  120 ,  120 ′ positioned thereon. In such embodiments, the data carrying spin waves  130  generated by the generator  105  at a single first location  110  propagate through the branched stripe and reach two separate second locations  125 ,  125 ′ along the stripe  305 . Thus, a single device A coupled with the generator  105  can simultaneously communicate with multiple receiving devices B, C coupled with each detector  120 ,  120 ′. As can be seen in  FIG. 3B , the detectors need not be magnetic field detectors, as shown in  FIG. 3A , but can be replaced with LMRE detectors  205 ,  205 ′ to accomplish the same splitter function. 
         [0033]    Similarly, a signal mixer  400  with a branched FM stripe  405  and at least two spin wave generators  105 ,  105 ′ can be constructed as shown in  FIG. 4A . Data in the form of spin waves  130 ,  130 ′ generated at the generator locations  115 ,  115 ′ can propagate along the branched stripe  405  to be received by a common detector  120  at a single second location  125 . Thus, multiple devices A, B can simultaneously communicate with a single receiving device C. For example the data transmitted from devices A, B at each generator  105 ,  105 ′ can provide spin waves  130 ,  130 ′ at different frequencies f 1 ,f 2 . A filter  410  can be included at the receiving device C or the common detector  120  to select a signal having a particular frequency to differentiate between the two sources  105 ,  105 ′. The filter  410  can comprise a hardware component coupled with the detector  120  or installed within device C. Alternatively, the filter can be a software process implemented within or by a component separate from device C.  FIG. 4B  shows the mixer  400  of  FIG. 4A  wherein the field detector  120  has been replaced with an LMRE detector  205 . One can appreciate that, given the two-way communication capabilities of the LMRE detector and generators (as discussed above), the mixer  400 ′ of  FIG. 4B  is analogous to the splitter  300 ′ of  FIG. 3B . To switch from mixer to splitter, the read-out circuit coupled with the detector  120  can be switched out for a signal input circuit. Likewise, the signal input circuits of one or more of the generators  105 ,  105 ′ can be switched out for a read-out circuit. Thus, the branched FM stripe  405  can transmit a signal generated at the LMRE detector  205  to be received by the SMT generators  105 ,  105 ′. Note that if one or more of the generators are not capable of two-way communication, the system of  FIG. 4B  is not operational as a splitter with respect to that generator. 
         [0034]      FIG. 5A  shows a coupler  500  according to embodiments of the invention. The coupler  500  comprises a branched FM stripe  505  having branches  510  for spin wave generators  105 ,  105 ′ coupled with input devices A, B and branches  510  for spin wave detectors  120 ,  120 ′ coupled with output devices C, D. Such a coupler  500  can also be created by providing two separate FM stripes connected at a location. When carried by spin wave packets  130 ,  130 ′ of different frequencies e.g. frequencies f 1  and f 2 , the detectors  120 ,  120 ′ or their associated devices C, D can include filters  515  to selectively receive one or more of the transmitted signals. Likewise,  FIG. 5B  shows a system including a branched FM stripe  505  so as to provide a coupler  500 ′. Here, it should be noted that detectors  205 ,  205 ′ are LMRE detectors, allowing for two-way communication. Thus, in a system where each generator is also capable of two-way communication, each of the SMT stacks  105 ,  105 ′,  205 ,  205 ′ of  FIG. 5B , can send and receive signals to and from each of the other stacks. 
         [0035]    The proposed coupler can be extended to a router  600 , or exchanger, with N-branches of an FM stripe  605  coupled with spin wave generators  105  and M-branches of an FM stripe  605  coupled with spin wave detectors  120  as seen in  FIG. 6A . As above, a filter can be connected with each of the detectors  120  or their associated devices for frequency or other signal selection functionality. Likewise,  FIG. 6B  shows a router  600 ′ arrangement where each generator  105  and detector  205  comprise an SMT stack, thus each stack coupled with the router can send or receive signals in the form of spin waves  130 . In the embodiment shown in this figure, the generators and detectors have become indistinguishable because each stack is capable of both generation and detection (as discussed above). 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  shows a schematic of a system  700 , wherein a spin wave generator  705 , detector  710 , and a plurality of intermediate SMT stacks  715  have been positioned along a single FM stripe  720 . Such an arrangement can be useful, for example, for delivering a spin wave  725  signal between distant (i.e. where stripe length L is such that spin wave attenuation becomes a concern) devices A, B. Each intermediate SMT stack  715  can be used as a repeater to provide for amplification of the spin wave as it propagates through the FM stripe  720 . Amplification can be accomplished, for example, by successive detection and retransmission. For example, in this embodiment, each successive intermediate SMT stack  715  can detect the spin wave  725  and regenerate a duplicate spin wave to decrease the effects of spin wave attenuation along the length L of the FM stripe  720 . Alternatively, each intermediate SMT stack  715  can be coupled with a separate device so that each device receives the signal transmitted by the generator  705 . In such an arrangement, each intermediate SMT stack  715  can be used to generate a spin wave to be received by all other devices along the FM stripe  720 . One should recognize that the intermediate detectors/generators need not be SMT stacks as shown, but rather could be any combination of any of the types of detectors and/or generators described above. 
         [0037]    Thus, embodiments of devices and systems for data transmission using spin waves are disclosed. Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain disclosed embodiments, the disclosed embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation and other embodiments of the invention are possible. One skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes, adaptations, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 3