Free-standing magnetic nanopillars for 3-D nanomagnet logic

Abstract

Nanomagnet logic (NML) is a relatively new computation technology that uses arrays of shape-controlled nanomagnets, in order to allow digital processing. Currently, conventional resist-based lithographic processes limit the design of NML circuitry to planar nanostructures with homogeneous thicknesses. Here, we demonstrate the focused-electron-beam-induced-deposition of Fe-based nanomaterial for magnetic in-plane nanowires and out-of-plane nanopillars. 3-dimensional (3D) NML was achieved based on the magnetic coupling between nanowires and nanopillars in a 3D array. Additionally, the same Fe-based nanomaterial was used to produce tilt-corrected high-aspect-ratio probes for the accurate magnetic force microscopy (MFM) analysis of the fabricated 3D NML gate arrays. The interpretation of the MFM measurements was supported by magnetic simulations using the Object Oriented MicroMagnetic Framework. Introducing vertical out-of-plane nanopillars not only increases the packing density of 3D NML but also introduces an extra magnetic degree of freedom, offering a new approach to input/output and processing functionalities in nanomagnetic computing.