Nanomagnetic Information Technology

As epitomized by the hard-disk drives of personal computers, magnetic recording has been a driving force of modern technology during the last few decades. This technology has great potential for ultra-low-power and high-performance information processing and storage. However, with increasing storage density and decreasing bit size, further research must address nanoscale limitations of physical origin. This book describes the fundamental issues in nanomagnetic information technology. Co-authored by a leading academic researcher and a high-profile scientist from one of the world's top magnetic media manufacturers, it provides a reference source for graduate students and researchers working in industry and academia. Starting with an introduction to the basic operating principles of nanomagnetic devices and functional elements, the storage, retrieval, and manipulation of information is described. The book then goes on to deal with 'hot issues' of current scientific interest and industrial potential.
Specific topics covered include: nanomagnetic materials and their electronic structure, finite-temperature magnetism, basic micromagnetics, multiscale modeling, recording media, heads and sensors, magnetic information processing, quantum computing and spintronics.