Oriented exciton spins that can be generated and manipulated
optically
are of interest for a range of applications, including spintronics,
quantum information science, and neuromorphic computing architectures.
Although materials that host such excitons often lack practical coherence
times for use on their own, strategic transduction of the magnetic
information across interfaces can combine fast modulation with longer-term
storage and readout. Several nanostructure systems have been put forward
due to their interesting magneto-optical properties and their possible
manipulation using circularly polarized light. These material systems
are presented here, namely two-dimensional (2D) systems due to the
unique spin-valley coupling properties and quantum dots for their
exciton fine structure. 2D magnets are also discussed for their anisotropic
spin behavior and extensive 2D magnetic states that are not yet fully
understood but could pave the way for emergent techniques of magnetic
control. This review also details the experimental and theoretical
tools to measure and understand these systems along with a discussion
on the progress of optical manipulation of spins and magnetic order
transitions.