The technology of spintronics is based on the intrinsic spin of electrons. In the medium term, it is set to replace electronics as the basis for technical devices. DESY scientist Lars Bocklage has discovered a new way of producing ultrafast spin currents. His calculations, which have now been published in the Physical Review Letters, suggest that the spin current can operate at terahertz frequencies – a thousand times faster than the speeds achievable at the moment.