Nanocontact Spin-Transfer Oscillators based on Perpendicular Anisotropy in the Free Layer

Micromagnetic simulations are used to predict the behavior exhibited by spin-transfer oscillators when materials with perpendicular anisotropy are introduced in the "free" layer of nanocontact devices. Under a perpendicular-to-plane bias field, the frequency exhibits nonlinear dependence on the anisotropy field, mostly originated by the exchange-dominated propagating nature of spin-wave modes. The increase of frequency without using large bias fields makes it suitable for potential technological applications. A study of the feasibility of bias-field-free devices has been also performed deriving multiharmonic signals at gigahertz frequencies. Here, the magnetization describes a gyrotropic motion where both vortex-core polarization and rotation sense switch periodically.