High-frequency switching in superparamagnetic magnetic tunnel junctions by enhancing damping

Superparamagnetic magnetic tunnel junctions (sMTJs) are promising components for true random number generation and probabilistic computing. Achieving high-frequency fluctuation while maintaining reliable control over output level is critical for applications. In this work, we systematically investigate the role of magnetic damping in regulating thermal switching rates using macrospin simulations. We show that enhanced damping accelerates the switching rate by increasing the escape rate over the energy barrier. We further compare two control mechanisms: spin-transfer torque (STT) and voltage-controlled exchange coupling (VCEC). Our results reveal that STT-based switching is strongly suppressed under high damping, whereas VCEC, by reshaping the energy landscape without relying on torque-driven dynamics, retains high control efficiency. These findings suggest that enhanced damping not only enables faster stochastic switching in sMTJs but also makes VCEC inherently better suited than STT for high-frequency applications.

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Publication Details

Journal
AIP Advances
Published
2026-02-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1063/9.0000990
Primary Topic
Magnetic properties of thin films
Type
article
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article

High-frequency switching in superparamagnetic magnetic tunnel junctions by enhancing damping

Qi Jia, Jian-Ping Wang
AIP Advances
Magnetic properties of thin films
article

High-frequency switching in superparamagnetic magnetic tunnel junctions by enhancing damping

Qi Jia, Jian-Ping Wang
article en

Abstract

Superparamagnetic magnetic tunnel junctions (sMTJs) are promising components for true random number generation and probabilistic computing. Achieving high-frequency fluctuation while maintaining reliable control over output level is critical for applications. In this work, we systematically investigate the role of magnetic damping in regulating thermal switching rates using macrospin simulations. We show that enhanced damping accelerates the switching rate by increasing the escape rate over the energy barrier. We further compare two control mechanisms: spin-transfer torque (STT) and voltage-controlled exchange coupling (VCEC). Our results reveal that STT-based switching is strongly suppressed under high damping, whereas VCEC, by reshaping the energy landscape without relying on torque-driven dynamics, retains high control efficiency. These findings suggest that enhanced damping not only enables faster stochastic switching in sMTJs but also makes VCEC inherently better suited than STT for high-frequency applications.

AIP AdvancesVol. 16(2)
University of Minnesota (US), University of Minnesota System (US)
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 57%
Magnetic properties of thin films
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