Magnetic Skyrmion as a Nonlinear Resistive Element: A Potential Building Block for Reservoir Computing

TLDR

Neuromorphic computing seeks energy‑efficient models, and reservoir computing networks—built from nonlinear resistive elements—are a promising realization. The authors propose using a skyrmion network in frustrated magnetic films as a physical implementation for reservoir computing. They model a two‑terminal device where a single skyrmion in a ferromagnetic ribbon exhibits nonlinear voltage due to anisotropic and non‑collinear magnetoresistance, simulating current flow and pinning effects.

Abstract

Inspired by the human brain, there is a strong effort to find alternative models of information processing capable of imitating the high energy efficiency of neuromorphic information processing. One possible realization of cognitive computing are reservoir computing networks. These networks are built out of non-linear resistive elements which are recursively connected. We propose that a skyrmion network embedded in frustrated magnetic films may provide a suitable physical implementation for reservoir computing applications. The significant key ingredient of such a network is a two-terminal device with non-linear voltage characteristics originating from single-layer magnetoresistive effects, like the anisotropic magnetoresistance or the recently discovered non-collinear magnetoresistance. The most basic element for a reservoir computing network built from "skyrmion fabrics" is a single skyrmion embedded in a ferromagnetic ribbon. In order to pave the way towards reservoir computing systems based on skyrmion fabrics, here we simulate and analyze i) the current flow through a single magnetic skyrmion due to the anisotropic magneto-resistive effect and ii) the combined physics of local pinning and the anisotropic magneto-resistive effect.