Magnetic switch shows its metal

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Abstract
For over 50 years electronic engineers have controlled the balance between electrons and holes in semiconductors to design electronic switches. But now that material science has made the production of microscopic magnetic films possible, a new pair of charge-carrying populations is poised to make its mark in a plethora of devices based on the magnetic properties of metals, rather than the electronic properties of semiconductors. Mark Johnson of Bellcore in New Jersey has developed a switch in which currents are carried by the oppositely directed spins (magnetic moments) of electrons; the carriers are controlled by magnetic electrodes and switched by pulses of magnetic field (Science (1993) 260 320). But Johnson's most spectacular prediction is that such a switch will work better as it is made smaller - a complete reversal of the difficulties encountered in nanofabricated electronics.

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