Biskyrmion-based artificial neuron with refractory period

Abstract

Magnetic skyrmions are nanoscale magnetic whirls that are highly stable and can be moved by currents which has led to the prediction of a skyrmion-based artificial neuron device with leak-integrate-fire functionality. However, so far, these devices lack a refractory process, estimated to be crucial for neuronal dynamics. Here we demonstrate that a biskyrmion-based artificial neuron overcomes this insufficiency. When driven by spin-orbit torques, a single biskyrmion splits into two subskyrmions that move towards a designated location and can be detected electrically, resembling the excitation process of a neuron that fires ultimately. The attractive interaction of the two skyrmions leads to a unique trajectory: Once they reach the detector area, they automatically return to the center to reform the biskyrmion but on a different path. During this reset period, the neuron cannot fire again. Our suggested device resembles a biological neuron with the leak, integrate, fire and refractory characteristics better than all existing artificial devices so far.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, H2020-MSCA-ITN-2020; Project acronym SPEAR; Grant Agreement No. 955671

References in corpus (5)

• Skyrmion Hall Effect Revealed by Direct Time-Resolved X-Ray Microscopy
• Magnetic skyrmion-based synaptic devices
• Magnetic Skyrmions for Unconventional Computing
• Skyrmion ratchet propagation: Utilizing the skyrmion Hall effect in AC racetrack storage devices
• Forming individual magnetic biskyrmions by merging two skyrmions in a centrosymmetric nanodisk

Cited by in corpus (4)

• Skyrmion motion in magnetic anisotropy gradients: Acceleration caused by deformation
• Helitronics for classical and unconventional computing
• Circular motion of non-collinear spin textures in Corbino disks: Dynamics of Néel- versus Bloch-type skyrmions and skyrmioniums
• RC circuit based on magnetic skyrmions