Optical manipulation of magnetism in III-V-based ferromagnetic semiconductors and its device application

In the last decade, the study of physics and application of spin-related phenomena has become one of the important emerging fields born from the advanced studies of both semiconductors and magnetic materials. This presentation reviews a few examples of such activities that are taking place around the world. This is followed by the experimental results concerning the optical manipulation of magnetism in (III,Mn)V ferromagnetic semiconductors. Finally, a polarized light detector is discussed and its potential application with a spin LED. Partial magnetization reversal by the electrical injection of hole spins is also reviewed on the basis of results obtained from (Ga,Mn)As-based magnetic tunnel junctions.