Introduction To Spintronics

AY2016/2017 Semester 2

This course will introduce magnetics and spintronics technologies which are useful in hard disk drives and the emerging magnetic random access. The course consists of three parts of almost equal lengths. The first part provides the fundamentals of magnetism. In this part, the origin of magnetism through concepts such as atomic magnetic moment, exchange interaction will be described. Various types of magnetic materials and their properties will be explained. In addition, the origin of hysteresis loop will be explained. This part will help the student to pick up research in any field of magnetism. The second part discusses the basics and recent developments of magnetic recording. The major components of magnetic recording such as reading and storing information will be described. A detailed discussion on the recording media will be provided. The first and second part will equip a student to be suitable for hard disk industry. The third part discusses the basics and recent developments of magnetic random access memory. In this part, concepts such magnetoresistance, giant magnetoresistance, tunneling magnetoresistance are described first. Various types of MRAM devices are discussed later. The third part will end with an overview of emerging concepts in MRAM. The first and third part of the course will equip a student for jobs in the memory industry, in particular on jobs related to MRAM. The course is suitable for students of Physics, Materials Science and Electrical Engineering (Microelectronics). The course is self-contained and there are no prerequisites. A prior knowledge of semiconductor technology, electromagnetism is helpful, although it is not compulsory.