Key experimental studies for the first generation of magnetic devices based on full acoustic control of the magnetization

In this proposal, we describe experiments leading to the fabrication of the first generation of magnetic devices where the magnetization is fully controlled by an acoustic wave and can be fully or partially switched with sound alone, without any magnetic field or electric current. The background is supported by some preliminary results obtained during our previous beamtime at ALBA when, in addition to the main objectives of the beamtime, we observed fully acoustic nucleation and propagation of reversed magnetic domains at a large SAW power. Preliminary micromagnetic simulations led us to realize that these results have phenomenal potential for building integrated magnetic devices with full acoustic control. We are aware of the incredible potential of other competitive research groups, particularly in China, and we want to fabricate the first generation of devices while conducting experiments and theoretical studies to understand acoustic magnetic nucleation. Here, we propose experiments that will provide the necessary information to build a magnetic neuromorphic device with applications in security and in speech recognition. The experimental conditions copy the very successful conditions used in our previous beamtime. Therefore, we are very confident that we will obtain the expected results. With this proposal, we will measure the acoustic energy required to switch or partially switch ferromagnetic elements with different shapes and structures. As we explain in the proposal, this information is key to designing and building the device that we have already submitted as a “Prueba de Concepto” project.  Our group, which includes some ALBA scientists, has extensive previous experience in this type of measurement and CIRCE–PEEM is the only facility in the world with the high frequency and high power acoustic energy required for a full acoustic control of the magnetization.