An international team of scientists, led by physicists from the University of Vienna, has made a significant breakthrough in computational technologies. Their research has resulted in the development of a “smart” universal device that utilizes spin waves, known as magnons, to process information with exceptional energy efficiency.
The findings of the research have been published in the journal “Nature Electronics” and highlight the potential for advancements in computer technology and neuromorphic systems. By employing the “reverse design” method, researchers were able to automatically configure the system to perform specific functions.
With modern electronics facing challenges such as high energy consumption and increasing design complexity, the use of magnonics – the utilization of quantum spin waves in magnetic materials – offers a promising solution. This technology enables efficient data transmission and processing with minimal energy loss.
Under the leadership of Andrei Chumak from the Nanomagnetism and Magnonics group at the University of Vienna, a research team developed an experimental setup that is based on 49 individually controlled current loops on a thin film made from an iron-yttrium garnet. These loops create customizable magnetic fields to manipulate magnons.
The primary author of the study, Nura Zenbaa, and her team dedicated over two years to developing and testing the prototype. The device successfully performed as a filter cutter and a demultiplexer, crucial components for the next generation of wireless networks.
Unlike conventional systems that require specialized components, this universal device can be adapted for various applications, reducing complexity, costs, and energy consumption. Further research indicates that the device is capable of executing any logical operations with binary data, positioning it as a potential alternative to traditional processors.
While the current prototype is still relatively large and energy-intensive, the team believes that miniaturizing it to less than 100 nanometers will significantly boost efficiency. This advancement paves the way for the development of energy-efficient universal data processing systems and environmentally friendly computing technologies in the future.