Featured Article
Fabrication of spin values using soft lithography techniques
Megan B. Nix and Marc W. Bockrath
Spintronics, or spin-based electronics, is a relatively new area of research, involving the creation and evaluation of electronic devices based not only on the charge, but also the spin of the electron. The interaction of spin with magnetic fields (applied externally or inherent in a material) is the underlying mechanism of spintronics devices. The appeal of these devices is the possibility of increased speed, decreased power consumption, and higher integration densities when compared to current silicon semiconductor technology. A present challenge in the field of spintronics is the integration of these devices into existing semiconductor technology. This article examines the use of soft lithography techniques to eliminate defects associated with one method of integrating spintronic and semiconductor technology in hard disks and MRAM devices.