Spintronics is a term coined from spin and electronics (electronic engineering), and is research and technology for using both the charge and spin properties of electrons at the same time.According to Professor Ohno, his research is based on the idea of ​​fusing non-magnetic semiconductors and magnetic substances (magnets) at the material level, creating new semiconductors with magnetism, and fundamental research to elucidate the phenomenon. It is said that he has been proceeding with "applied research to create integrated circuits that combine physical elements and semiconductor elements".

　If it is used in the processor (CPU: central processing unit) or memory (primary storage device), the data will not disappear even if the power is turned off (<non-volatility>), so the standby power consumption can be reduced to 100, and it can be written and read. Because of its high speed, it is said that energy-saving performance that is more than XNUMX times that of conventional computers can be obtained.Power-saving and high-performance, it is expected to be a powerful technology for a decarbonized society.

　Prof. Ohno says that the technological breakthrough was to align the electron spins (magnetic direction), which are normally horizontal, perpendicular to the surface of the substrate.At that time, there was a worldwide search for a new vertically aligned material that sandwiches an insulator to improve the performance of devices, but the desired results were not achieved.Under such circumstances, Dr. Ohno "systematically thinned" a common material that everyone was using for a different purpose, and at a certain thinness, the magnetism naturally aligned vertically. .

　Around the same time, some overseas research colleagues did not believe a student's report that the direction of magnetism had become vertical! It was a great success that we were able to show what can be done with such materials,” said Professor Ohno.

　"Making horizontal things vertical is something that Professor Iwasaki said when he proposed the perpendicular magnetic recording method. His research on combining semiconductors and magnetic materials is also connected to Professor Nishizawa," he says. Ohno-sensei was deeply moved.

　In 2010, Professor Ohno submitted a paper and, three months ahead of his rivals, applied for a patent on the basic structure of a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) applying spintronics technology.After that, it became a world standard material system, and from around 2018, full-scale practical application began.Professor Shunsuke Fukami, who will take over the laboratory, is now developing Professor Ohno's research, and is also applying it to computers that can process information flexibly like the brain and computers that can easily solve extremely difficult problems. It is expected that this will lead to new developments in semiconductor integrated circuits (*XNUMX).

　“In research, there is the joy of turning the pages of a book one by one in order to understand the details of a subject. Like basic research and cancer research, we aim to achieve goals based on clear goals. There is a thing.The former has no goals or deadlines, and the latter is exposed to tough competition.However, both have to be the first to show results.When you lose, you're sorry, when you win. It gives me a great sense of accomplishment.I am satisfied that I was able to experience both.The former research really came in handy when I was trying to make the magnetic material thinner,” says Professor Ohno.