Tunability versus deviation sensitivity in a non-linear vortex oscillator

Frequency modulation experiments were performed on a spin torque vortex oscillator for a wide range of modulation frequency, up to 10 % of the oscillator frequency. A thorough analysis of the intermodulation products shows that the key parameter that describes these experiments is the deviation sensitivity, which is the dynamical frequency-current dependence. It differs significantly from the oscillator tunability discussed so far in the context of spin-transfer oscillators. The essential difference between these two concepts is related to the response time of the vortex oscillator, driven either in quasi-steady state or in a transient regime.