Spintronics Research in the World

Spintronics is one of the most exciting and emerging fields in condensed-matter physics. Spin-polarised electrons can be introduced into a direct-bandgap semiconductor by circularly polarised light (Spin-photonics spin photonics), into a a non-magnetic metal due to the s-d interaction (Spin-currents spin-polarised current) and into a ferromagnet by spin-transfer torque (Magnetoresistance magnetoreistance), all of which are based on magnetoelectronics and nanoelectronics. In addition, new magnetic materials have been searched in order to realise both the half-metallicity (Half-metals half-metals) and favarable domain structures (Domain structures domain structures). These experimental studies have been supported by theoretical investigation (Theoretical studies).

Nano-Spintronics

By combining the above nanoelectronics and materials science, nano-spintronic devices can be fabricated as a future spintronic device. Such a device may become a template to precisely characterise the fundamental physical properties of the spin current; spin diffusion length of the non-magnet and coherent size of the spin current, and propagation mechanism of the spin current, for instance. This research requires knowledge on both physics and materials science and provides great impact on the spintronic community.

For further reading

  • Reviews on spin photonics: J. A. C. Bland et al., "Optical studies of electron spin transmission," in "Ultrathin Magnetic Structures IV Applications of Nanomagnetism" B. Heinrich and J. A. C. Bland (Eds.) (Springer, Berlin, Germany, 2004) p. 59-100.
  • Reviews on spin currents and magnetoresistance: S. Maekawa and T. Shinjo (Eds.) "Spin Dependent Transport in Magnetic Nanostructures" (Taylor and Francis, 2002).
     

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