Research team develops new compact and energy-efficient nanoscale microwave oscillators
By using improved magnetic materials, based on the control of interface properties of ultra-thin magnetic films, researchers from the Suzhou Institute of Nano-tech and Nano-bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SINANO), the University of California at Los Angeles(UCLA), and the University of Messinahave made major experimental improvements to develop a more compact, more energy-efficient generation of a mobile communication device known as spin transfer nano-oscillator (STNO). STNOs use the spin of electrons to create steady microwave oscillations needed for various applications in mobile communications, unlike current silicon-based oscillators which use their charge. The SINANO team's improved oscillator has great potential to be used in future portable electronic devices and wireless modules, systems on a chip, and for power-efficient local clock signal generation in digital systems.