Stochastic Spintronic Devices for Bio-Inspired Computing

Magnetic tunnel junctions are promising candidates for computing applications. But when they are reduced to nanoscale dimensions, maintaining their stability becomes an issue. Unstable magnetic tunnel junctions undergo random switches of the magnetization between their two stable states and thus behave as stochastic oscillators. We defend that the stochastic nature of these superparamagnetic tunnel junctions is not a liability but an asset which can be used for the implementation of bio-inspired computing schemes. Indeed, our brain has evolved to function in a noisy environment and with unstable components. Many neurons behave as noisy oscillators, with intrinsic Poisson statistics similar to those of superparamagnetic tunnel junctions. In this seminar we show two possible applications of superparamagnetic tunnel junctions: low-energy synchronization and population coding.

For further information please contact mark.stiles [at] nist.gov (Mark Stiles), 301-975-3745.