Scientists at the Vienna University have developed a groundbreaking new type of processor that utilizes magnons instead of electrons to transmit magnetic signals. This innovative approach addresses two key challenges in modern electronics – high energy consumption and excessive heat generation, which have been hindering the advancement of computing technology.
In traditional electronic circuits, information is carried by electrons moving through metal conductors, leading to energy loss in the form of heat due to material resistance. Magnonic circuits, on the other hand, operate using waves generated by electrons in specific materials changing their spin state – the intrinsic angular momentum of the particle, akin to the rotation of an electron around its axis.
The operation of magnonic processors is rooted in the collective behavior of electrons within the material’s crystal lattice. When one electron changes its spin orientation in response to an external magnetic field, it induces a local disruption in the magnetic order. This disturbance is then propagated to neighboring electrons through exchange interaction, a quantum-mechanical effect where spins align in a certain way. Consequently, a wave of spin excitation travels through the material as a distinct particle known as a magnon, capable of moving freely along the crystal lattice with minimal energy consumption and heat generation.
Dr. Andriy Chumak, the lead researcher, highlights the versatility of the newly developed prototype, which can perform various functions without the need for extra components. The processor can manipulate magnon waves by adjusting magnetic field parameters and transmission channel geometries. Acting as a notch filter, the device inhibits specific frequency signals by exploiting interference from magnetic vibrations. As a demultiplexer, it directs information flow through different channels using spin-orbit interaction.
This flexibility is particularly valuable for 5G and upcoming 6G communication networks that operate at ultra-high frequencies ranging from tens to hundreds of gigahertz. To validate the processor’s capabilities, scientists are conducting rigorous tests using magneto-optical Kerr microscopy, enabling real-time observation of spin wave propagation.