Spin Electronics

This book is a comparative review of spin electronics ("spintronics") research and development activities in the United States, Japan, and Western Europe conducted by a panel of leading U.S. experts in the field. It covers materials, fabrication and characterization of magnetic nanostructures, magnetism and spin control in magnetic nanostructures, magneto-optical properties of semiconductors, and magneto electronics and devices. Spin Electronics is unique in that it combines tutorial and introductory information on the significance of spin electronics research and applications development in this rapidly developing field. It reviews profound technical and policy implications of spin-based devices for the future of semiconductor electronics, non-volatile computer memory, nanotechnology, and quantum computing and communications. For example, the report discusses the potential for spin electronics to help maintain the progress in price and performance of electronics and computers described in Moore's Law. Finally, information on funding and level of effort in the laboratories visited by the panel is provided.

Table of Contents:
1. Spin Electronics—Is It the Technology of the Future?.- 2. Materials for Semiconductor Spin Electronics.- 3. Fabrication and Characterization of Magnetic Nanostructures.- 4. Spin Injection, Spin Transport and Spin Transfer.- 5. Optoelectronic Manipulation of Spin in Semiconductors.- 6. Magnetoelectronic Devices.- Appendices.- A. Appendix A. Biographies of Team Members.- B. Appendix B. Site Reports—Europe.- Johannes Kepler University.- Unité Mixte de Physique CNRS/THALES.- INESC.- RWTH Aachen.- University of Hamburg.- University of Twente.- University of Basel.- University of Wuerzburg.- University of Hamburg.- IMEC.- QinetiQ.- Trinity College.- Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine.- University of Cambridge.- University of Cambridge.- University of Glasgow.- University of Nottingham.- University of Regensburg.- C. Appendix C. Site Reports — Japan.- University of Tokyo.- The Institute for Solid State Physics.- Tokyo Institute of Technology.- Tokyo Institute of Technology.- Waseda University.- Tokyo Univ. of Agriculture and Technology.- Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology (KAST).- Tokyo Institute of Technology.- Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd..- NTT Basic Research Laboratory.- NEC Fundamental Research Laboratories (FRL).- Joint Research Center for Atom Technology (JRCAT).- Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.- University of Tokyo, Department of Physics.- University of Tokyo, Department of Electrical Engineering.- The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research.- Osaka University.- Tohoku University, Research Institute of Electrical Communication (RIEC).- Tohoku University, Department of Applied Physics.- Tohoku University, Department of Materials Science.- Tohoku University.- D. Appendix D. Highlights of Recent U.S. Research andDevelopment Activities.- E. Appendix E. Glossary.- F. Appendix F. Index of Sites.