Scaling effect of spin-torque nano-oscillators

We have investigated the impact of device size on the characteristics of spin-torque nano-oscillators by studying the frequency and linewidth of the oscillator as a function of current density utilizing micromagnetic simulations at room temperature. Upon reduction of the device size from 40 down to 10 nm, thermal noise flattens the frequency and linewidth trends with current density and lowers the threshold current density of the oscillation. The magnetization vector trajectories reveal that irregular oscillations exist in smaller devices. Our findings suggest that a 20 × 20 nm2 spin-torque oscillator could be a viable candidate for a magnetic read sensor.