MAGNETIC LOGIC DEVICES FOR FUTURE COMPUTING SYSTEMS

High performance computing system design based on complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) is facing more and more challenges due to the volatility, increased leak current and interconnection delay. Computations utilizing magnetic logic devices have attracted considerable interest as the potential alternatives because of their features of nonvolatility, re-configurability, unlimited endurance and low power consumption. Instead of using electron charges, the magnetic logic device stores and processes the data information by controlling spins, i.e., the magnetization states in a device. The emerging technologies related to the magnetic logic are mainly composed of three design schemes, i.e., the magnetoresistive logic, the magnetic quantum cellular automata and the magnetic domain wall logic. This paper will illustrate the principles as well as review the recent developments of these magnetic logic devices. Challenges and prospects of the future development are also discussed.