The success of spintronics - the science and technology of storing, processing, sensing and communicating information using the quantum mechanical spin degree of freedom of an electron - is critically dependent on the ability to inject, detect and manipulate spins in semiconductors either by incorporating ferromagnetic materials into device architectures or by using external magnetic and electric fields. In spintronics, the controlled generation and manipulation of spin polarization in nonmagnetic semiconductors is required for the design of spin-sensitive devices ranging from spin-qubit hosts, quantum memory and gates, quantum teleporters, spin polarizers and filters, spin-field-effect-transistors, and spin-splitters, among others. One of the major challenges of spintronics is to control the creation, manipulation, and detection of spin polarized currents by purely electrical means. Another challenge is to preserve spin coherence in a device for the longest time or over the longest distance in order to produce reliable spintronic processors. These challenges remain daunting, but some progress has been made recently in overcoming some of the steepest obstacles. This book covers some of the recent advances in the field of spintronics using semiconductors.

Introduction to Spintronics provides an accessible, organized, and progressive presentation of the quantum mechanical concept of spin and the technology of using it to store, process, and communicate information. Fully updated and expanded to 18 chapters, this Second Edition: Reflects the explosion of study in spin-related physics, addressing seven important physical phenomena with spintronic device applications Discusses the recently discovered field of spintronics without magnetism, which allows one to manipulate spin currents by purely electrical means Explores lateral spin-orbit interaction and its many nuances, as well as the possibility to implement spin polarizers and analyzers using quantum point contacts Introduces the concept of single-domain-nanomagnet-based computing, an ultra-energy-efficient approach to compute and store information using nanomagnets, offering a practical rendition of single-spin logic architecture ideas and an alternative to transistor-based computing hardware Features many new drill problems, and includes a solution manual and figure slides with qualifying course adoption Still the only known spintronics textbook written in English, Introduction to Spintronics, Second Edition is a must read for those interested in the science and technology of storing, processing, and communicating information via the spin degree of freedom of electrons.

Introduction to Spintronics provides an accessible, organized, and progressive presentation of the quantum mechanical concept of spin and the technology of using it to store, process, and communicate information. Fully updated and expanded to 18 chapters, this Second Edition: Reflects the explosion of study in spin-related physics, addressing seven important physical phenomena with spintronic device applications Discusses the recently discovered field of spintronics without magnetism, which allows one to manipulate spin currents by purely electrical means Explores lateral spin-orbit interaction and its many nuances, as well as the possibility to implement spin polarizers and analyzers using quantum point contacts Introduces the concept of single-domain-nanomagnet-based computing, an ultra-energy-efficient approach to compute and store information using nanomagnets, offering a practical rendition of single-spin logic architecture ideas and an alternative to transistor-based computing hardware Features many new drill problems, and includes a solution manual and figure slides with qualifying course adoption Still the only known spintronics textbook written in English, Introduction to Spintronics, Second Edition is a must read for those interested in the science and technology of storing, processing, and communicating information via the spin degree of freedom of electrons.