The term Spintronics has taken on many different meanings, encompassing many different aspects of research in magnetics, materials science, and condensed matter physics. In this talk, we will explore how 'Spintronics' emerged from differing disciplines of research in epitaxial ultra-thin magnetic transition metal films on semiconducting substrates and research in semiconductor physics. Research in the latter has revolutionized the way we work and play, and made possible for the current information technology epoch through development of current electronics technologies. Research in the former has provided a breakthrough impact in a multi-billion dollar industry, the computer hard disk drive industry, and given a 'seed of an idea' of utilizing the spin as well as charge of an electron. The emergence of the two areas promises to deliver new functionality to existing electronics and novel devices capable of non-volatile memory, low power logic, etc¡¦. To realize such applications, several fundamental questions must be first better understood. Such concepts as spin-injection/detection between heterostructures, and issues of developing a completely new class of materials systems will be discussed.

Y. Daniel Park's Bio

Prof. Yun Daniel Park received his Bachelor of Science from the School of Electrical Engineering at Cornell University in 1994. Upon graduation, he enrolled in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Florida as one of Dr. Jeffrey R. Childress first graduate students. At UF, Dan interacted with other researchers in various departments, namely Department of Physics, where significant portion of his dissertation work was conducted. Dan completed his dissertation under the guidance of Prof. Holloway and with the assistance from Prof. Pearton. After receiving his doctorate in 1998, Dan received the prestigious National Research Council Post-Doctorate Fellowship at the Naval Research Laboratory, situated along the scenic Potomac River in Washington D.C. At NRL, Dan conducted research with Dr. Berend T. Jonker in the Materials Physics Branch, where he investigated various aspects of what has been recently called 'new paradigm in condensed matter physics,' Spintronics. At his stay at NRL, Dan and his co-workers were one of the first to present and publish works on SpinLED and group IV ferromagnetic semiconductor. After completing his two year appointment, Dan accepted a position, funded through an endowment from Samsung Electronics, at the Seoul National University in Seoul, Korea in the School of Physics. He is also a member of the Center for Strongly Correlated Materials Research at SNU.