Silicon-based spintronics device developed [may lead to smaller,faster,less power hungry computers]

newscientisttech.com ^ | 05-16-2007 | Kurt Kleiner

[bedolido]

A development that could advance of the hottest areas of physics research - "spintronics" - has been announced by US scientists.

Ultimately, physicists hope that research in spintronics could lead to smaller, faster and less power hungry computers. These machines would operate using logic devices based on manipulating and measuring the spin of electrons, rather than turning current on and off.

Now researchers have for the first time shown that they can inject spin-polarized electrons into silicon, manipulate them, and measure them coming out the other side.

[ShadowAce]

[papasmurf]

On an almost daily basis, I'm amazed.
:O)
P

[Kevmo]

This is an area that’s been gradually developing and now is finally starting to show up on silicon. The big attraction is that a lot more gate density can be placed onto silicon with much less power consumption.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

Interesting.

[SunkenCiv]

...ya do need a really small ruler to measure ‘em...