Nonvolatile field programmable spin-logic for reconfigurable computing

We have fabricated field programmable spin-logic gates based on spin-dependent tunneling (SDT) elements. Here we show their feasibility down to a width of 0.6 mum of the SDT elements that form spin-logic gates. We further demonstrate the clocked operation of a hybrid spin-logic gate consisting of SDT elements and a semiconductor-based sense amplifier. Apart from the nonvolatility of the inputs, the output and the programming information, the experimentally demonstrated concept seems to be suitable for reconfigurable computing operations. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.