Bennett clocking of nanomagnetic logic using multiferroic single-domain nanomagnets

The authors show that it is possible to rotate the magnetization of a multiferroic (strain-coupled two-layer magnetostrictive-piezoelectric) nanomagnet by a large angle with a small electrostatic potential. This can implement Bennett clocking [Int. J. Theor. Phys. 21, 905 (1982)] in nanomagnetic logic arrays resulting in unidirectional propagation of logic bits from one stage to another. This method is potentially more energy efficient than using spin-transfer torque for magnetization rotation. For realistic parameters, it is shown that a potential of similar to 0.2 V applied to a multiferroic nanomagnet can rotate magnetization by nearly 90 degrees to implement Bennett clocking. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3506690]