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Designing Materials for Next-generation Spintronic Devices

Project Personnel

Zhihong Chen

Principal Investigator

Purdue University

Kirill Belashchenko

Co-PI

University of Nebraska, Lincoln

Nicholas Glavin

Co-PI

Air Force Research Laboratory

Jonathan Sun

Co-PI

IBM

Weigang Wang

Co-PI

University of Arizona

Pramey Upadhyaya

Co-PI

Purdue University

Joerg Appenzeller

Co-PI

Purdue University

Supriyo Datta

Co-PI

Purdue University

Ilya Krivorotov

Co-PI

University of California, Irvine

Funding Divisions

Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems (ECCS), Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP), Division Of Materials Research (DMR)

Feynman's visionary keynote speech emphasized the need for probabilistic computers to simulate complex, inherently probabilistic problems. This project addresses the challenge of developing hardware capable of accelerating probabilistic algorithms. By designing probabilistic bits (p-bits) based on stochastic low barrier magnets in magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs), the research aims to realize a breakthrough in probabilistic computing. The proposed materials foundation focuses on identifying novel soft magnetic Heusler alloys with ultra-low energy barriers that can be controlled using energy-efficient spin-orbit torque (SOT) materials. This interdisciplinary endeavor integrates theoretical modeling, high-throughput materials screening, computational simulations, experimental synthesis and characterization, and modular simulations to accelerate materials discovery and device design for p-bit implementation. The transformative potential of this research lies in enabling compact and energy-efficient hardware for probabilistic computing, with implications for the semiconductor industry and expanding the material base for industry-relevant spintronic memory technologies. Research results produced by this work will be available to the wider community through the nanoHUB spintronics portal and gained knowledge will be disseminated through its educational platform that has offered courses to thousands of students and engineers. Moreover, student training and workforce development will be enhanced through a planned summer school.

Publications

High-efficiency Pt75Au25-based spintronic terahertz emitters
W. Shi, G. D. Nelson, H. Wu, Y. Ju, X. Pan, W. Ho, and I. N. Krivorotov
2/23/2026
Spin-wave eigenmodes in nanoscale magnetic tunnel junctions with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy
A. Meo, C. Sha, E. Darwin, R. Tomasello, M. Carpentieri, I. N. Krivorotov, and G. Finocchio
3/31/2025
Spin–orbit torque in a three-fold-symmetric bilayer and its effect on magnetization dynamics
W. Fang, E. Schwartz, A. A. Kovalev, and K. D. Belashchenko
2/27/2025
Pseudotunnel Magnetoresistance in Twisted van der Waals Fe3GeTe2 Homojunctions
R. Obata, H. Sun, K. Samanta, N. A. Shahed, M. Kosugi, T. Kikkawa, A. Abdallah, K. Watanabe, T. Taniguchi, K. Suenaga, E. Saitoh, S. Maruyama, K. Hirakawa, K. D. Belashchenko, E. Y. Tsymbal, et al.
1/5/2025
Direct and indirect spin current generation and spin-orbit torques in ferromagnet/nonmagnet/ferromagnet trilayers
V. P. Amin, G. G. Baez Flores, A. A. Kovalev, and K. D. Belashchenko
12/18/2024
Unconventional fieldlike spin torques in CrPt3
R. Klause, Y. Xiao, J. Gibbons, V. P. Amin, K. D. Belashchenko, D. Go, E. E. Fullerton, and A. Hoffmann
10/17/2024

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Research Highlights

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Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed on this website are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation or the participating institutions. This site is maintained collaboratively by principal investigators with Designing Materials to Revolutionize and Engineer our Future awards, independent of the NSF.

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