Abstract: Spintronics refers to the study of the role played by electron spin in solid state physics. It is a new emerging field of basic and applied research in physics and engineering where neglected magnetic degree of freedom of an electron, which concerns spin polarization, spin relaxation, and corresponding applications of the electrons. Spintronics device by either adding the spin degree of freedom to conventional charge-based electronic devices or using the spin alone has the potential advantages of increased data processing speed and integration densities compared with the conventional semiconductor devices, nonvolatility, and decreased electric power consumption. In this paper, spintronics in combination with spin-valve sandwich, magnetic tunneling junction, and semiconductor spin electronics are briefly introduced; furthermore, its current development and applications are reviewed.

Key words: spintronics, spin-valve, magnetic tunneling junction, semiconductor spin electronics