■Aims in this project■

　"Spin current",i.e., the flow of spin, has appeared as a new physical concept during the recent development of spintronics study. The spin current generally created through the phenomena such as spin injection and spin accumulation, annihilates through spin relaxation and spin diffusion. The creation and the annihilation of spin current is accompanied by the transformation with other physical quantities;therefore the spin current can be controlled by a physical signal(magnetic, electric, optical, etc.), and conversely the physical signal can be controlled by the spin current.

【Key words】
・ Spin : Characteristic nature of electron which is a root of magnetization and correspond to self rotation angular momentum
・ Spintronics : New electronics using not only charge but also spin of electron

■Reserch subjects in this project■

　In this project, research on spin current will be implemented through the three main areas of research namely (1) spin current generation, (2) spin current and physical properties, and (3) spin current and functional control. This new form of organization, will surpassed that of the conventional research areas, such as, metals and semiconductors, and physics, material science, and electronics engineering for spin current research. In the spin current generation, research on the investigation and generation of spin current, establishment of principles regarding the efficient extraction and formation of spin current from the spin reservoir, and the effect of nano-heterostructures and interface on spin current will be carried out. In the spin current and physical properties, research regarding the correlation between spin current and electromagnetic radiation and the new physics it will generate will be studied. The correlation between the spin current and electron, especially those of spin current and the motion and magnetic moment of the electron will also be investigated. In the spin current and functional control, the investigation of functionalities based on the control and transformation of physical signals that are related to spin current, as well as the recommendation and demonstration of novel spin devices will be carried out.

■Prospective result■

　It is expected that a new academic field is created through revealing the theory of spin current by cross-cutting research. In addition, as a ripple effect, it is expected that innovative devices which are responsible for the next generation are realized.