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  • Apr
    29

    Cancelled: Theory of THz-frequency auto-oscillator based on a cuurent-driven bi-axial antiferromagnet

    Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

    2:00 PM Ford ITW, Technological Institute

    EVENT DETAILS

    CANCELLED

    Following the University's guidance this event is now Cancelled.

    Speaker: Professor Andrei Slavin. Oakland University, Rochester MI.

    Date: Wednesday April 29, 2020. Ford ITW 2-3PM

    Abstract: Antiferromagnetic (AFM) materials have natural resonance frequencies in the sub-THz to THz frequency range. Thus, it is tempting to use antiferromagnets as active layers in THz-frequency spin-torque nano-oscillators (STNOs). However, a familiar mechanism of spin-transfer torque (STT) damping compensation used in ferromagnetic (FM) STNOs [1] does not work for the AFM materials. In the AFM two magnetic sublattices are aligned anti-parallel to each other, so, when the STT compensates damping in one of the sublattices, it increases the damping in the other sublattice, resulting in a zero net effect. At the same time, the STT can cause a lattice instability in an AFM. For example, it has been shown in [2], that the STT can lead to the reorientation of the order vector l in the AFM with cubic anisotropy.

    In this work we propose a novel approach to the excitation of oscillations in AFM materials. In the framework of this approach the STT is used to change the effective energy landscape of the AFM. We show theoretically, that in a bi-axial AFM (such as NiO [3]) the magnetic lattice can lose its stability under the action of STT, which results in a self-sustained precession of the order vector l of the AFM [4]. We found that for NiO the lowest threshold of the self-sustained oscillations occurs for the STT directed along the hard axis of a single crystal NiO. The threshold of generation in this case is determined by the weak easy plane anisotropy (Ha1≈ 380 Oe in NiO) of the bi-axial AFM, and not by the Gilbert damping of the AFM. Above the generation threshold the AFM order vector l starts to precess in the AFM easy plane with the frequency defined by the magnitude of the STT and by the Gilbert damping in the AFM, see Fig. 2. The threshold of the self-sustained oscillations for the case of the STT directed along the easy axis of the AFM in several orders of magnitude higher, than in the case when the STT is directed along the AFM hard axis.

    Bio: Andrei Slavin received PhD degree in Physics in 1977 from the St.Petersburg Technical University, St. Petersburg, Russia. Dr. Slavin developed a state-of-the-art theory of spin-torque oscillators, which has numerous applications in the theory of current-driven magnetization dynamics in magnetic nanostructures. His current research support includes multiple grants from the U.S. Army, DARPA, SRC and the National Science Foundation. This research involves international collaborations with leading scientists in many countries, including Germany, Ukraine, France, Italy, and the United States. Dr. Slavin is a frequently invited speaker at magnetism conferences around the world.

    Andrei Slavin is Fellow of the American Physical Society, Fellow of the IEEE, and Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Physics Department at the Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, USA.

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    TIME Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

    LOCATION Ford ITW, Technological Institute    map it

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    CONTACT ECE Admin Team    eceadmin@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

  • Aug
    20

    Alumni Education Webinar: McCormick School of Engineering's Strategic Vision

    McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

    12:00 PM

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

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    CONTACT Andi Joppie    andi.joppie@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

  • Sep
    8

    Welcome & Breakfast for New McCormick PhD Students

    McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

    9:00 AM LR2 & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Monday, September 8, 2025 at 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

    LOCATION LR2 & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute    map it

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    CONTACT Andi Joppie    andi.joppie@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

  • Sep
    12

    New Undergraduate Fall 2025 Registration

    University Academic Calendar

    All Day

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Friday, September 12, 2025

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    CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR University Academic Calendar

  • Sep
    15

    Welcome & Luncheon for New Full-time Graduate Students

    McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

    11:00 AM Ryan Auditorium & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Monday, September 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

    LOCATION Ryan Auditorium & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute    map it

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    CONTACT Andi Joppie    andi.joppie@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

  • Sep
    16

    Fall Classes Begin. Change of Registration (Drop/Add) Late registration for returning students begins

    University Academic Calendar

    All Day

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Tuesday, September 16, 2025

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    CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR University Academic Calendar