Spin electronics and spin computation

We review several proposed spintronic devices that can provide new functionality or improve available functions of electronic devices. In particular, we discuss a high mobility field effect spin transistor, an all-metal spin transistor. and our recent proposal of an all-semiconductor spin transistor and a spin battery. We also address some key issues in spin-polarized transport, which are relevant to the feasibility and operation of hybrid semiconductor devices. Finally, we discuss a more radical aspect of spintronic, research-the spin-based quantum computation and quantum information processing. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.