Single skyrmion true random number generator using local dynamics and interaction between skyrmions

Journal Article · 07 February 2022 · Nature Communications

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-28334-4 · OSTI ID:2469819

Wang, Kang  ^[1]; Zhang, Yiou ^[1]; Bheemarasetty, Vineetha ^[1]; Zhou, Shiyu  ^[1]; Ying, See-Chen ^[1]; Xiao, Gang  ^[1]

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1. Brown University, Providence, RI (United States)

Magnetic skyrmions are of great interest to both fundamental research and applications in post-von-Neumann computing devices. The successful implementation of skyrmionic devices requires functionalities of skyrmions with effective controls. Here we show that the local dynamics of skyrmions, in contrast to the global dynamics of a skyrmion as a whole, can be introduced to provide effective functionalities for versatile computing. A single skyrmion interacting with local pinning centres under thermal effects can fluctuate in time and switch between a small-skyrmion and a large-skyrmion state, thereby serving as a robust true random number generator for probabilistic computing. Moreover, neighbouring skyrmions exhibit an anti-correlated coupling in their fluctuation dynamics. Both the switching probability and the dynamic coupling strength can be tuned by modifying the applied magnetic field and spin current. Our results could lead to progress in developing magnetic skyrmionic devices with high tunability and efficient controls.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 2469819
• Journal Information: Nature Communications, Journal Name: Nature Communications Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 13; ISSN 2041-1723
• Publisher: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English