Objective Spinelectronics merges magnetism and electronics (Nobel Prize 2007). Besides its fundamental interest, it has found applications in hard disk drives (1998) and in non-volatile standalone memories (MRAM, on market since 2006). MRAMs integrate CMOS components with magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJ). The PI and his team are convinced that besides MRAMs, this hybrid CMOS/MTJ technology can yield a totally new approach in the way electronic devices are designed. Most CMOS devices such as microprocessors are based on Von Neumann architecture in which logic and memories are separate components. The unique set of characteristics combined within MTJs: cyclability, switching speed, scalability, makes it possible to conceive novel electronic systems in which logic and memory are intimately combined in non-volatile logic components (non-volatile CPU). Such systems would have outstanding advantages in terms of energy savings, logic-memory communication speed, ultrafast reprogrammability, compactness, design simplicity. The objective of this project is to lay the fundation of this novel approach, which requires addressing both fundamental and more applied issues. The basic issues concern the improvement and reliability of spintronic materials, mastering the speed and coherence of magnetization switching, developing tools for the quantitative interpretation of MTJ properties and for designing hybrid CMOS/MTJ devices. The applied goals are the conception, building and testing of a few illustrative devices demonstrating the outstanding advantages of this technology. A further one is to establish an internationally recognized roadmap for this non-volatile logic. If successful, its impact on European microelectronics and magnetism industry could be huge. Fields of science engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringcomputer hardwarecomputer processorsnatural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicsmicroelectronics Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-AG-PE7 - ERC Advanced Grant - Systems and communication engineering Call for proposal ERC-2009-AdG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant Coordinator COMMISSARIAT A L ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES Address Rue leblanc 25 75015 Paris France See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Research Organisations Principal investigator Bernard Dieny (Dr.) Administrative Contact Jérôme Planes (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution € 2 500 000,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all COMMISSARIAT A L ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES France EU contribution € 2 500 000,00 Address Rue leblanc 25 75015 Paris See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Research Organisations Principal investigator Bernard Dieny (Dr.) Administrative Contact Jérôme Planes (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window
