THE ART OF SPIN ELECTRONICS

A brief history is given of the nascent field of spin electronics in w hich the ability to differentially manipulate up-and down-spin current carriers is exploited, We discuss the impending marriage of spin-depe ndent effects with semiconductor technology and, in particular, the ex ploitation of spin-dependent transport in the semiconductors themselve s. In this connection, preliminary experiments are described which exp lore spin transport in ion-implanted silicon. We conclude by evaluatin g various potential applications of the devices made possible by this exciting new development in electronic technology.