Nanoscale true random bit generator based on magnetic state transitions in magnetic tunnel junctions

Abstract

We present an investigation into the in-plane field induced free layer state transitions found in magnetic tunnel junctions. By applying an ac current into an integrated field antenna, the magnetisation of the free layer can be switched between the magnetic vortex state and the quasi-uniform anti-parallel state. When in the magnetic vortex state, the vortex core gyrates a discrete number of times, and at certain frequencies there is a 50% chance of the core gyrating n or n − 1 times, leading to the proposal of a novel nanoscale continuous digital true random bit generator.