Table of Contents
Preface v
1 Introduction 1
1.1 What is a spin? 1
1.2 Singte spin algebra 2
1.3 A spin in a real material 4
1.4 The 3d electrons in ferromagnetic atoms 5
1.5 An electron in a phase space - the density of states 8
1.6 Full quantum perspective for the electron spin description - the second quantization 11
1.7 Spin transport and random-walk 13
1.8 Magnetization and micromagnetism 16
2 Physical effects in spintronic structures 21
2.1 Classical dipole interactions versus quantum exchange interaction 21
2.2 Double-exchange interaction 22
2.3 The RKKY interaction 24
2.4 Examples of anisotropy effects in low-dimensional objects 25
2.4.1 Dots (OD) 26
2.4.2 Wires (ID) 35
2.4.3 Layers (2D) and spatial systems (3D) 40
2.5 Magnetization dynamics in tow-dimensional magnetic systems 42
3 Micromagnetic equations in magnetization dynamic studies 51
3.1 Magnetization dynamics in materials with strong spin-orbit coupling: The Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction 62
3.2 Skyrmions 70
3.3 Magnetization dynamics for temperatures above 0 K 74
4 Sensing magnetization dynamics 89
5 Contact effects in Layered structures 117
5.1 Boundary conditions and magnetic interface effects 117
5.2 Ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic junction: EB and 90° coupling 119
5.3 Superconductor-normal conductor junction: Andreev reflection 125
6 Transport in spintronic structures 129
6.1 Diffusion and drift of spins 129
6.2 Tunnel effect 132
6.2.1 The single tunnel junction 136
6.2.2 The lead-island-lead basic three-component system 142
6.3 Coulomb blockade 150
6.4 Kondo effect 153
6.5 Reflection and scattering of carriers 155
6.6 Spin injection and spin accumulation 156
6.7 Spin-transfer torque 160
7 Spintronics devices 165
7.1 Electronic parameters of spintronic devices 165
7.2 Spin valve 165
7.3 Magnetic tunnel junctions 170
7.4 Magnetic diode 173
7.5 Magnetic electroluminescent diode 176
7.6 Single-electron transistor 177
7.7 Bipolar magnetic transistor 182
7.8 Magnetic NOT logic gate 183
7.9 Other magnetic logic gates and devices 185
7.10 From magnetic tape storage systems to hard disk read/write heads and beyond 187
7.11 Magnetic memory cell - MRAM 197
7.12 Beyond von Neumann architecture - neuromorphic computing 199
7.13 CMOS-compatible spintronics and hybrid solutions 208
7.14 Quantum interferometers, Aharonov-Bohm, and Fano effects 211
7.15 Magnetic markers and biochips 214
8 Influence of external factors and physical fields onto spintronic devices work 217
8.1 Temperature-supported switching of elements 217
8.2 Spin caloritronics 219
8.3 Pressure 222
8.4 Strain 223
8.5 Electric field 224
8.6 Light 225
8.7 Electric current and switching of spintronic devices 226
9 Materials in commercial applications 227
9.1 Metals and half-metats 227
9.2 Diluted magnetic semiconductors 228
9.3 Multiferroics 228
9.4 Antiferromagnets 229
9.5 Organic spintronics 229
9.6 Other materials in layered systems 230
Bibliography 231
Index 283
