Spintronics: Fundamentals and applications

Igor Žutić, Jaroslav Fabian, and S. Das Sarma
Rev. Mod. Phys. 76, 323 – Published 23 April 2004
PDFExport Citation

Abstract

Spintronics, or spin electronics, involves the study of active control and manipulation of spin degrees of freedom in solid-state systems. This article reviews the current status of this subject, including both recent advances and well-established results. The primary focus is on the basic physical principles underlying the generation of carrier spin polarization, spin dynamics, and spin-polarized transport in semiconductors and metals. Spin transport differs from charge transport in that spin is a nonconserved quantity in solids due to spin-orbit and hyperfine coupling. The authors discuss in detail spin decoherence mechanisms in metals and semiconductors. Various theories of spin injection and spin-polarized transport are applied to hybrid structures relevant to spin-based devices and fundamental studies of materials properties. Experimental work is reviewed with the emphasis on projected applications, in which external electric and magnetic fields and illumination by light will be used to control spin and charge dynamics to create new functionalities not feasible or ineffective with conventional electronics.

    DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/RevModPhys.76.323

    ©2004 American Physical Society

    Authors & Affiliations

    Igor Žutić*

    • Condensed Matter Theory Center, Department of Physics, University of Maryland at College Park, College Park, Maryland 20742-4111, USA

    Jaroslav Fabian

    • Institute for Theoretical Physics, Karl-Franzens University, Universitätsplatz 5, 8010 Graz, Austria

    S. Das Sarma

    • Condensed Matter Theory Center, Department of Physics, University of Maryland at College Park, College Park, Maryland 20742-4111, USA

    • *Present address: Center for Computational Materials Science, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20735, USA. Electronic address: igorz@physics.umd.edu
    • Electronic address: jaroslav.fabian@uni-graz.at

    References (Subscription Required)

    Click to Expand
    Issue

    Vol. 76, Iss. 2 — April - June 2004

    Reuse & Permissions
    Access Options
    Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

    Authorization Required


    ×
    ×

    Images

    ×

    Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Reviews of Modern Physics

    Log In

    Cancel
    ×

    Search


    Article Lookup

    Paste a citation or DOI

    Enter a citation
    ×