A sound understanding of magnetism, transport theory, spin relaxation mechanisms, and magnetization dynamics is necessary to engage in spintronics research. In this primer, special effort has been made to give straightforward explanations for these advanced concepts.

This book will be a valuable resource for graduate students in spintronics and related fields. Concepts of magnetism such as exchange interaction, spin-orbit coupling, spin canting, and magnetic anisotropy are introduced. Spin-dependent transport is described using both thermodynamics and Boltzmann’s equation, including Berry curvature corrections. Spin relaxation phenomenology is accounted for with master equations for quantum spin systems coupled to a bath. Magnetic resonance principles are applied to describe spin waves in ferromagnets, cavity-mode coupling in antiferromagnets, and coherence phenomena relevant to spin qubits applications.

Key Features:

• A pedagogical approach to foundational concepts in spintronics with simple models that can be calculated to enhance understanding.

• Nineteen chapters, each beginning with a historical perspective and ending with an outlook on current research.

• 1200 references, ranging from landmark papers to frontline publications.

Jean-Philippe Ansermet is Professor Emeritus at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), where he pioneered experiments on giant magnetoresistance, current-induced magnetization switching, heat-driven spin torque, and nuclear magnetic resonance. He taught mechanics, thermodynamics, and spin dynamics for more than twenty years. A fellow of the American Physical Society and recipient of the 2022 Credit Suisse Teaching Award, he was an executive board member of the European Physical Society, president of the Swiss Physical Society, and teaching director at EPFL. He has authored or co-authored textbooks on mechanics and thermodynamics and published more than two hundred articles.