  A model for a spin-torque nano-oscillator based on the self-sustained
oscillation of a magnetic skyrmion is presented. The system involves a circular
nanopillar geometry comprising an ultrathin film free magnetic layer with a
strong Dzyaloshinkii-Moriya interaction and a polariser layer with a
vortex-like spin configuration. It is shown that spin-transfer torques due to
current flow perpendicular to the film plane leads to skyrmion gyration that
arises from a competition between geometric confinement due to boundary edges
and the vortex-like polarisation of the spin torques. A phenomenology for such
oscillations is developed and quantitative analysis using micromagnetics
simulations is presented. It is also shown that weak disorder due to random
anisotropy variations does not influence the main characteristics of the
steady-state gyration.
