Phase locking of vortex based spin transfer oscillators to a microwave current

Abstract: Phase locking experiments on vortex based spin transfer oscillators with an external microwave current are performed. We present clear evidence of phase locking, frequency pulling, as well as fractional synchronization in this system, with a minimum peak linewidth of only 3 kHz in the locked state. We find that locking ranges of the order of 1/3 of the oscillator frequency are easily achievable because of the large tunability $\partial f/\partial I_{dc}$ observed in our vortex based systems. Such large locking ranges allow us to demonstrate the simultaneous phase locking of two independent oscillators connected in series with the external source.