Abstract: Spin-based computation has the promise to overcome the power, performance and architectural constraints of conventional CMOS based logic. All-spin logic devices based on the hybridization of perpendicular magnetic materials and semiconductors can fundamentally outperform their charge-based counterparts because of their unique scalability and compatibility with well-developed spin transfer torque (STT) memory technology. Ground-breaking experimental and theoretical investigations performed in the past decades have cleared the pathway to realizing spin- based computation. These include successful demonstrations of perpendicular spin transfer torque (STT) devices, spin injection and detection into semiconductors, switching ferromagnets using pure spin currents, and all-spin logic architectures. In the first part of my talk, I will review our early work on the world first demonstration of perpendicular spin transfer torque device, report our recent demonstration of the world most fast switching magnetic tunnel junction with partial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy by spin transfer torque, and then discuss our recent design and fabrication of a multiple MTJ based logic circuit which computes logic functions while transferring the data to the next logic gate without an intermediate sense amplifier. In the second part of my talk, I will discuss our recent effort to synthesize a unique perpendicular magnetic material (Fe16N2), which not only has the large perpendicular magnetic anisotropy but also a reasonable high spin polarization ratio and potential low damping constant. Those desired properties haven’t be achieved in other material systems yet.
Biography: Dr. Jian-Ping Wang is the Distinguished McKnight University professor at the University of Minnesota. He is the faculty member at the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department also a graduate faculty member of Departments of Physics, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Minnesota. He is the associate director of the Center for Micromagnetics and Information Technologies (MINT). His current research programs focus on searching, fabricating and fundamentally understanding new nanomagnetic and spintronic materials and devices. He received his PhD degree from Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in 1995. He was the founding program manager for the Magnetic Media and Materials program in Data Storage Institute, Singapore, from 1998 to 2002. He received the INSIC technical award in 2006 for his pioneer experimental work in exchange coupled composite perpendicular magnetic media and the 2011 College of Science and Engineering Outstanding Professor Award for his dedication to teaching undergraduates. He has authored and co-authored more than 206 publications in peer-reviewed top journals and conferences and hold 17 patents.