CMAT (Complementary MAgnetic Tunnel junction logic)

NU 2013-120

Inventors

Joseph Friedman

Allan Sahakian*

Short Description

A novel logic family that provides computing performance and efficiency improvements

Abstract

Northwestern researchers have developed a novel logic family that provides computing performance and efficiency improvements, thus making it possible to replace CMOS for general-purpose computing as scaling approaches its inherent limits. This invention, CMAT (Complementary MAgnetic Tunnel junction logic) is a novel logic family composed solely of magnetic tunnel junctions to form complimentary pull-up and pull-down networks. This logic family solves the challenge of direct cascading in spintronic logic circuits while also providing non-volatile data storage. The increased logic density possible with complementary outputs coupled with a gate-switching mechanism driven by spin-switching rather than electron motion permits logical computation with higher efficiency than CMOS. Furthermore, the presence of non-volatile memory within the logic structure provides a feasible hardware for non-Von Neumann computer architectures.

Applications

• High performance computing
• General computing
• Mobile computing
• Low power computing
• Low temperature computing

Advantages

• Non-volatile logic (memory-in-logic)
• Potential for higher computing efficiency
• Spintronic switching
• Cascaded logic
• Makes effective use of magnetic tunnel junctions

IP Status
Issued US Patent Nos. 9,299,917 and 9,711,200