  Energy efficient nanomagnetic logic (NML) computing architectures propagate
and process binary information by relying on dipolar field coupling to reorient
closely-spaced nanoscale magnets. Signal propagation in nanomagnet chains of
various sizes, shapes, and magnetic orientations has been previously
characterized by static magnetic imaging experiments with low-speed adiabatic
operation; however the mechanisms which determine the final state and their
reproducibility over millions of cycles in high-speed operation (sub-ns time
scale) have yet to be experimentally investigated. Monitoring NML operation at
its ultimate intrinsic speed reveals features undetectable by conventional
static imaging including individual nanomagnetic switching events and
systematic error nucleation during signal propagation. Here, we present a new
study of NML operation in a high speed regime at fast repetition rates. We
perform direct imaging of digital signal propagation in permalloy nanomagnet
chains with varying degrees of shape-engineered biaxial anisotropy using
full-field magnetic soft x-ray transmission microscopy after applying single
nanosecond magnetic field pulses. Further, we use time-resolved magnetic
photo-emission electron microscopy to evaluate the sub-nanosecond dipolar
coupling signal propagation dynamics in optimized chains with 100 ps time
resolution as they are cycled with nanosecond field pulses at a rate of 3 MHz.
An intrinsic switching time of 100 ps per magnet is observed. These
experiments, and accompanying macro-spin and micromagnetic simulations, reveal
the underlying physics of NML architectures repetitively operated on nanosecond
timescales and identify relevant engineering parameters to optimize performance
and reliability.
